She hadn't really thought where she was going or where'd she'd end up. The only thing she knew was "I don't want to be like her!" she said. Meaning a single parent with six kids. She was a well rounded young lady, she was smart, pretty, and knew what she wanted in life. She wanted a tall, dark, and handsome husband, three children, a big house, a garden, and exactly one dog. She went away to college, like many teenagers her age did, to study medicine. Sarah was her name.
Sarah figured in exactly 7-8 years "I'll have all my ducks in a row!" I'll be done with med school, I'll have a job, a car, and my own place. Those were our conversations. "Then and only then....will I have time to find love." I'm not sure if she was waiting on the perfect time to find love...or it was the lack of options. You see Sarah spent her days at school and her nights at the campus library with her nose stuck in a book. Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with knowing what you want in life and going for it.....but she had no social life. No Social LIFE!!!! She didn't even know what beer pong was until the age of 25, while doing her residency, and she was still confused by the concept. One night she came to rescue me from a frat party and my half naked drunken misery. "What's the point? Who comes up with these games!?" She said. My drunken reply was "Why the Dean of students." It made total sense....till it left my mouth and we both began laughing hysterically.
She had med school, and I had grad school and although looking back it was quite a blur we still managed to keep in touch. We both finished school about a year after that party. Of course she would graduate top of her class and with honors or something. I on the other hand I'm still in bewilderment over the fact they let me walk the stage or that they called my name. Enough about me Sarah took a job in the city at a family practice, she was the pediatrician. She worked endlessly that first year, but it wasn't till her second year someone noticed the magic in her eyes. Brett asked Sarah out, he was a young handsome-like physician that worked at the same clinic. They dated and it wasn't long before they were deeply in love. And as one could guess I was harshly tossed to the curb, traded in for someone from the male species. It's not like I'm bitter about it or anything...but I was there first. She was my best friend.
Enough about that, they went steady for 2 1/2 years, and just when things couldn't get any better...Brett asked Sarah to marry him! "The moment was magical, like a clip from a movie." she said "All of a sudden I couldn't breathe, I couldn't think, all I knew is I love this man!" So obviously she said yes. By then I had my own steady boyfriend, you know if you consider two dates and splitting the cab fare steady.
Brett and Sarah were on cloud 9, planning their wedding, the colors, the flowers, dresses, ties, and venue. "The sun is brighter, the grass is greener, the...have you ever stopped to hear the birds chirp!?" she said. It was obvious she was in love.
One night Brett prepared a romantic picnic for the two, with a gorgeous view of the city. They stayed up all night till sunrise. "We counted the stars, held each other close, and just laid there." he said. "We watched the sunrise, it was beautiful. I won't forget what she said next" he said. "Joy comes in the morning. The sunrise brings hope of a new day. The hope that the impossible will be possible. The hope that the new day can wipe all pain away. It's a new beginning."
It's been two months since the fatal accident. A drunk driver hit Sarah's Volkswagen Beetle head on. She died on impact, and the drunk driver....walked away with a broken arm. Many times I wished it had only been a dream...to no avail. Brett goes back to their picnic area, on top of the hill, and I mostly go to the neighborhood park, we went to as children, and watch the sunrise almost every morning. Him not knowing if he'll ever be able to love again....or let her go. But holding on to the hope that joy will come in the morning and one day the impossible will be possible. And as for me I'm grateful that I had 23 awesome years with Sarah. Years full of joy, tears, and laughter. One day we'll meet again until then I'll be waiting on the sunrise.
