Hello There!
So, I have been wanting to write a post like this for 2 weeks now. You probably don’t know this but, I’m a huge fan and lover of Rachel Brathen aka Yoga Girl. I was introduced to her instagram account I think a little over a year ago and I love the way she carries herself and the trust, passion and love she has for life and this world in general.
2 weeks ago, something terrible happened to her. Her best friend passed away from a car accident. Her whole world crumbled into pieces and she was lost (Of course I know this because of her updates on Instagram, I wish I was her real friend) she was angry at the world, she was angry at herself and she was even angry at her friend for not “letting her know”. Reading her posts touched my heart because I could relate. Rachel said that it was thanks to Andrea (bff) that she is the person she is today, it was thanks to Andrea that she entered the world of adventure and uncertainty. They met when Rachel was 18 and had recently moved to Costa Rica and was lost; she didn’t know what she wanted to do, all she knew was she wanted a change, she wanted to be better and Andrea changed her world. Rachel moved to Aruba when she met a boy, Dennis and she said she “had a feeling” and so did Andrea so she packed her bags and off she went. Rachel is now 25 and still lives in Aruba with Dennis and they are getting married this year. Andrea was going to be the bridesmaid and then in a split second their lives changed forever.
2 years ago, I was in a similar position. I was 20 and I was lost. I was in college but I just wasn’t present. I really didn’t know what I wanted although I thought I did. That time of my life is a complete blur because I don’t remember most nights (too much partying) and because honestly I was hurting too much I don’t really want to remember. One night (yes, partying again) I happened to meet a guy. He was 22. He had a great smile. We were introduced by a common friend and we danced, danced. I left early because I had class the next morning but he asked for my phone number and said we would go for lunch the next day. Guys these days are not very trustworthy so I didn’t expect anything but just as I was leaving from class, he texted me. We had pizza. Anyway, this is not a love story but I wanted to tell you how we met. This guy changed my world completely. He taught what really matters, he taught me to smile, he taught me know my self-worth, he taught me to be restless, he taught me to live in the moment, he taught me to live. Whenever I needed something, he was there. No matter how late at night it was, he always answered. He was my guide, just as Andrea was Rachel’s guide. Well, you guessed it right. Destiny played its part and off he went. Just as Rachel was mad, I was also mad. Mainly at myself. He had taught me to show love and appreciation and I let days pass because I was “too tired” to text him (whatever that meant). Anyway, my guide left this Earth and it was an extremely sad time. It’s still sad.
Well, As I read Rachel posts, it took me back to that time and I posted something on his facebook wall and his sister answered:
“Ha saputo unire nazioni e continenti. Conosciamo persone in tutto il mondo grazie a lui, persone meravigliose sono entrate nella nostra vita grazie a questa persona meravigliosa. È tutto, e ci ha lasciato tutto. L’amore reciproco che ci ha lasciato e qualcosa di grandioso e potente.”
Which means: “He knew how to unite nations and continents. We know people all around the world thanks to him, marvelous people have entered our lives thanks to this marvelous person. He’s everything, and he has left us everything. The love he as left among us is something grand and powerful.”
Truth, truth, truth. so much wisdom in her words, it amazes me.
Rachel met a girl that changed her life, that shaped her life. I met a boy that did the same. We never, never know how things are going to turn out, no matter how much planning we do. The truth is, life is already planned, planned by forces we cannot control.
The way I see it is, Andrea changed Rachels’ life and helped her be the person she was always meant to be. Andrea was always destined to leave this Earth faster than all of us because life is like that. The great always leave us behind because we are slower at learning the gist of life. It took me 2 years to accept this and it’s still difficult but, when I talk to Luis, and when I spend more and more time with him and he tells me he loves me… all I can think of is, he loves the person Adriano (my friend) shaped. So, the way I see it is, I may have lost him physically but he is still here, he’s with me keeping me in line, he sent me Luis for me to never forget how wonderful life can be. This is more difficult to explain than I expected but what I’m trying to say is… maybe Rachel’s best friends gift to her was not the way she changed her life when she was 18 but, Dennis himself.
Ok. So my point its. What are we going to do? We have lost our guides, there will be times when we feel alone, when we feel life could be better but we have to remember life is still wonderful. Our beautiful friends left us a beautiful gift even if they didn’t know they were doing so. So, what’s my point you ask? Give back. Live Life with intention. Every single day. Take it all in, breathe it in and then let go. Easier said than done, I know but practice is all we need.
Well, I hope I didn’t bore anyone. Sorry for this being too long.
I wish everyone meets that 1 person that completely changes your life and I hope you all remember to live life if destiny gives you a punch in the back.
Xo, Belen
Androbel Insider 