My World: Turning 20

Sometimes I can't believe how much time has slipped away from me. It seems just yesterday, I was helping my mom lead my sister's Girl Scout troupe when I was in 6th or 7th grade at a Lutheran school. Now, I sit here at the computer, a college student.

When I was younger, I never thought much about going to college. The concept hadn't even crossed my mind. I thought college was for smart people, like my best friend, who now goes to UC Main.

I thought I was too stupid to get into college, but I'm here, and I love it. When I realized in September that my birthday was coming, I didn't even care. I wasn't excited at all. It's just another year, I thought.

I started getting excited after my sister's surprise Sweet 16. My best friend of almost ten years was there, and we were having a great time. It was then that I realized that just because I'm neither 18 nor 21, that doesn't mean that being 20 isn't important. Life isn't about your age. I've realized that I should celebrate having lived 20 years on this earth.

In this life, I have done more than I could have ever thought possible. I've met wonderful people who have touched me, and I hope I've touched them too. What has made my 20 years worthwhile is having a great family, who have been nothing but a constant reminder of what life really means, and the love they've always shown me.

I was sick a lot when I was younger, and no one knew what was wrong with me. My mom and dad took me to all kinds of doctors, who, each time, sent me to another doctor. My mom and dad could have given up, but they didn't. They took me to the Cleveland Clinic, where eventually I was diagnosed with a rare disease called CPT II deficiency, which is a disease of the mitochondria.

Because of their persistence, I am a reasonably healthy person. I am so glad that they didn't give up on me. Having CPT II deficiency has forced me, at an early age, to cope with adversity, name-calling, and rejection, and although it was painful, I'm thankful for it now.

If nothing else, it has taught me that bad things happen for a reason, and I've learned the meaning of compassion.

Someone who had compassion for me was my best friend, Meghann. She was the new girl, but everyone loved her. Still, when she noticed I was never included in everyone else's recess activities, she invited me to spend time with her, and for that, I am forever grateful.

To this day, we are best friends, sharing common interests in movies, bands, and moral values.

She is a wonderful human being, and I'm very glad to know her. She has taught me so much, including the importance of my 20th birthday, which I didn't care about.

Once again, she taught me to value my life, and to appreciate every moment, no matter how trivial. I think that's great advice.

For more information on CPT II deficiency, go to http://www.spiralnotebook.org/.