Looking back in time, I remember sitting there in church, asking God why he let Tommy and three other students die. Tommy at fourteen years, was the youngest of the four killed in the automobile crash. I remember waking up for school the morning after the accident and my mom came running to my room to tell me to listen to the radio. The news had just reported about the tragic accident that occurred in Merizo the night before, killing four minors. I listened intently but the news reporter wasn’t able to release the names yet or give details of the accident.

Merizo is a close-knit village with a population of less than 1000 people so I

Long after the choir had finished singing, the words of the song continued to stick in my head, “I must be strong, to carry on cause I know I don’t belong here in Heaven.” I made a promise to myself and to Tommy that I would live a long fulfilling life and try to stay away from danger. Although I miss him, I don’t belong up in Heaven just yet.

The day of Tommy’s funeral made me realize how true the expression “life is too short” really is. At a time when I felt I was invincible and nothing could kill me, this accident was a painful reminder that there is no such thing as an immortal. Anyone could die regardless of age and this proved it. I had experienced having a relative die before but they were all older and so it was accepted. This was the first time that someone I knew who was the same age as me had died. I didn’t want to end up the same way as Tommy, not able to experience life.

was certain that it had to be students that I knew. My mom called our neighbor who is the postmaster of the village, knowing that she if anyone, would have the information of who the victims were. When my mom repeated the names one by one, I sat there in disbelief. I knew each and every one of them in some way or another.

Growing up, Tommy and I had a sort of rivalry. We always tried to be the best at every sport we played. Everyday during lunch instead of eating we would be the only ones out on the basketball courts. We would play game after game of basketball until we were both exhausted from the constant running and the sun beating down on our backs. During P.E. class we would continue to compete against each other and make sure we were on opposite teams no matter the sport. Eventually this rivalry turned into a good friendship.

Some topics in this essay:
Growing Tommy, God Tommy, Eric Clapton’s, Heaven Wait, Merizo Guam, Tommy Looking, accident mom, wearing seatbelts, don’t belong,