Something Great

In recent weeks I've experienced the loss of two people in my life. Two teachers. Two mentors. Two highly inspirational people. I wish I could say that this loss has made me want to quit my job and go save the world via studying Shakespeare in honor of one. Or, in honor of another, go study storms, or climate change to save thousands of lives. But I'm just me. I am, instead, inspired to live my own life to it's fullest in honor of this loss.

Growing up, everyone always told me, "You're going to Be Someone. You're going to Do Something, do something Great." Well, I'm 25 and work a retail job. I ski 100 days a year and bike the rest of the time. I have a nine month old Golden Retriever. On paper, I don't feel like I'm doing anything Great.

But I'm happy. I am happy to wake up every morning and be alive. I am happy to breath in air and see sunshine. I am happy to hike and stand on top of a mountain with an able body, because I lived through a time when my body was not able. 

The Great thing I've done is survive an eating disorder. It is my duty to share my knowledge of these disorders, and my experiences, with those struggling and their families. 

One of the people I experienced the loss of in the last few weeks was Storm Chaser, Carl Young. He did research, and was out and about chasing storms, warning people of incoming tornadoes. It was mentioned many times during his memorial that his crew would be out chasing storms and able send warnings to nearby towns that a tornado was coming in. The town would be able to send out official tornado warnings. Because of their research, they possibly saved thousands of people by sending out warnings. His brother talked about all of this at the memorial. He asked us to honor Carl, "How many lives have you saved today?" This comment resonated with me. 

The deaths of those close to me have not inspired me to finish my degree, to go study abroad, or drastically change any aspect of my life in anyone's honor. But the comment, "How many lives have you saved?" Carl was out using his knowledge to save lives. This is inspirational to me. While I'm not doing anything Great, the way I live my life now is life changing to people. The way I have survived, am now happy and thriving, and able to share my experiences with people is life changing. Life saving.

I am honored to have known Carl Young and Patricia Troxel. In honor of these two mentor's passing, I will continue to reach out to those struggling with eating disorders, and body image issues. It is my duty to share my knowledge. That is my something Great. I will influence people in the only way I know how. I will continue to work on my book, continue to share my stories, and experiences, at recovery centers, and continue to write in honor of those struggling. I will continue to live my life on the path of recovery, reaching out, letting everyone know that it is possible to survive an eating disorder. 

Thank you Patricia and Carl. Your memory lives on. You inspired and saved many. Thank you for everything.