November 2, 2010

Only working 12 hours a week, I would have thought to have already written a book by now. But instead, I have lounged around, indulging in the glory of nothingness—walking with nowhere to go, eating for the sake of chewing, buying for the sake of owning. Having little to do, for me, is more of a burden than a blessing. With little to do, I do little.

 I could have spent my time exploring new hobbies, making new friends, writing my blog, devouring books, painting, working out, haggling with shop owners… doing any and everything because I had the time. Don’t get me wrong, I did do some of these things: I made a few new friends, read a few books, and traveled a bit but I still did not spend my time wisely, according to me.

Yesterday, November 2, 2010 was an important day for me that helped remind me how precious time really is.

At 12:07 AM my baby brother, Jett Luka Buratovich, was born! Initially, he was an adorable bundle of goop with long black hair soon to be polished clean and stylized by all those in attendance. I have only seen one photo of him from when he was bran-stinking new and I do think he is quite frankly beautiful. I can’t wait to see more photos and to one day hold him in my arms and nibble his little-person cheeks!

I felt great the whole day knowing that I had a healthy little brother!

At the same time, however, I felt a pang of sadness because a dear friend of mine from Switzerland (A member of my Swiss family, as I fondly refer to them, whom I met when I was 16 for the first time and with whom I have spent every summer since) had been in a severe motorcycle accident 14 days earlier. I had only learned on Saturday of his condition and as the updates came in—in a coma, broke almost every bone in his body, paralyzed, pneumonia—my heart sank a little lower and lower each day.

When I woke up today, November 3, 2010, I checked my Facebook like the good junkie I am and saw a post on my friend’s brother’s wall: 7/25/1992 – 11/2/2010 R.I.P. Hot tears rolled down my face—Hannes had just celebrated his 18^th birthday. He was young, handsome, a bit of a bad boy with a heart of gold who had his whole life ahead of him…

I can barely wrap my head around it and when I think of his family—his mother and father, and two brothers—dear people I consider family, my heart throbs. I cannot imagine the pain they must be feeling and I send them all my love and support.

So, today has been a very emotional day, both celebrating and mourning. These two events have reminded me how precious time is, how it is not to be wasted or taken for granted. I hope to make the most of life; being happy, doing something I love, and most of all sharing moments with family and friends. I know I live far from many of the people I love, but I hope you all know how very much I love you and how thankful I am to have you in my life.