Fly A Little Higher

Dear readers, 

Well I fell down, down, down
Into this dark and lonely hole
There was no one there to care about me anymore
And I needed a way to climb and grab a hold of the edge
You were sitting there holding a rope
           
That is the first verse to the song 'Clouds' by Zach Sobiech. Zach reminds me to care more for those around me, to be a better a friend, to live life a little more, and to reach up, up, up!


In seven days, one week will be the two year mark Nathan died. I received the phone call at 8 in the morning on a Saturday. I was sleeping in and I didn't answer it. But I returned the call a few minutes later and that is when I heard the news. My world completely broke that very moment. I called my dad barely able to speak through the tears streaming down my face. My stomach hurt, my head was pounding - how could I pick up the pieces and keep going? But I did. I had to be there for my friends, I was the strong one. I led the group. We were there for each other. 

Zach sings, "We'll go up in the clouds because the view is a little nicer up here my dear." I can almost hear Nathan say those words Zach sings. And as I write this  tears are falling from my face. Every memory, every moment is still so very clear to me.  Those friends, those memories are perfection to me. 

Laura Sobiech, Zach's mother wrote a book called 'Fly a Little Higher' and it is about their family's journey through Zach's battle with cancer. Zach said, "I want to be known as the kid who went down fighting and really didn't lose." 

Zach you didn't lose, you are winning, and you'll keep winning. 

I know our stories are very different, but at the same we are similar. We lost someone close to us and we are keeping their memory alive. I promised to Nathan and to myself that I would not let this world forget him. Zach is not being forgotten and neither is Nathan. A difference is being made. Together we are making that difference!

I love the book Laura wrote. I love hearing Zach's story. I'm really inspired by his story and by his legacy. On May 21, 2013 I wrote the following on this blog, " I really admire him and his strength. When life brought him the battle of cancer, Zach fought back. It really makes me think about how I live my life and how I want to live it. I want to live life like Zach. I want to take this life and make the most of it. I've been alive for over 26 years and I have dreams. I need to go and reach them! Zach lived for 17 years and he touched so many, many lives. I want to be like him." 

And I still want to be like Zach. I want to be an example like Zach, I want to inspire people like Zach, I want to be happy like Zach. I want to live my life a little more like Zach. 

It won't be long now, it won't be long now

If only I had a little bit more time
If only I had a little bit more time with you

We could go up, up, up
And take that little ride
And sit there holding hands
And everything would be just right
And maybe someday I'll see you again
We'll float up in the clouds and we'll never see the end

One day I'll see Nathan again. One day the Sobiech family will see Zach again. One day things will feel right again and make sense of unanswered questions, but for now we'll share their memory, make a difference, and we'll continue to fight against the battle of cancer and mental disorders.

Till the day I see Nathan again, I'll be thinking of the day we'll float up in the clouds and we'll never see the end. We'll laugh, remember the memories, and be oh so happy! And until then I'll cherish those memories and I'll create new ones! I'll be a better person, be more positive, and laugh a little more because of Zach's example. 

                

Love, 

Megan

This post is part of the Fly a Little Higher Blog Tour which I am delighted to be a part of along with hundreds of bloggers raising awareness and giving hope to those with cancer. To learn more and join us, CLICK HERE!