Nearly a year and a half ago, onAugust 18 2010, my best friend Nick Thornton passed away when he suffered a ruptured aorta just prior to the start of our high school career. Disbelief, anger, sadness, regret, and confusion were the only things I could feel. I had never been so vulnerable, so weak, and so empty in my life.  When this first occurred my vision was obscured when it came to staying strong and always remembering to have faith. But recently when I came across a video on YouTube, titled ‘My Story’ I was reminded of the bravery I had built up while overcoming a scary and upsetting point in my life.

Jacob Schemmel, a 2011 graduate ofRockfordHigh School, and current freshman at MSU released a video this past month on Dec 5. In the short time period of six minutes and fifty-six seconds, Schemmel changed my life, and through the comments of many others, one can see their lives have been changed as well.

In his video titled ‘My Story’ Schemmel discusses the immense amount of tragedy he experienced in 2010. Uniquely, everything he had to say was written on note cards that were placed in front of a camera while background music played. However, towards the five-minute hash, Schemmel’s upsetting story, unlike many others, turns into a video of hope, faith, devotion, and mostly, courage, something I had felt I lost a lot of when my best friend passed. It has become an immediate reminder to me and to all who have been hurt, or who have experienced loss in some way, that hope will always be in reach.

“Problems will arise in your lifetime and sometimes they will come in a consecutive period or they will be stretched out over a period of time, and no matter how bad things get, they will turn around at some point and get better,” said Schemmel.

Regarding Schemmel’s best friend Stephen, (who is discussed in the video) who passed away in 2010 in a terrible accident, Schemmel reveals the three words Stephen lived by. Quoted from the movie “Semi-Pro”, “Everybody Love Everybody” were the three simple words that seem to still help Schemmel get through the day, and have become the three words that are continuing to inspire and help people worldwide.

So if Schemmel can still put a smile on his face after losing both of his grandpas, two of his best friends, almost losing his own life, and much more all in ONE year, then why can’t someone else?

His video also offers a sense of comfort when he identifies that no one on this earth is alone. Someone out there has experienced something just as terrible if not worse. “Life is too short and suicide is not the answer…” wrote Schemmel on a note card in his video.

“I relied a lot on my family and friends and did my best to keep my head up and try to focus on the positives because I knew at some point it would have to get better, I just didn’t know when,” said Schemmel regarding how he overcame the obstacles he faced. “As long as you have your family and friends by your side, it will make things a lot easier. And if you are there for someone in a time of need, then someone will be there for you when you are in a time of need.”

Just a few days ago on Jan. 3, it was Nick’s 16^th birthday. Before I allowed myself to experience the vulnerability I felt after his death I re-watched ‘My Story.’ I reminded myself that he was my guardian angel, and was enjoying every aspect of heaven. I’ll always miss him but I am forever reminded of the faith and hope that triggered off ‘My Story’ and helped me get through the hardest time in my life.

The video was a reminder to me and to nearly a million others that life is clearly a journey. It is one’s decision whether he or she chooses to allow terrible moments to shape his or her lives. Everyone at some point in time faces a hardship he or she is not prepared for, but it is how those situations are handled and carried on that makes all the difference. “My message is this…” wrote Schemmel. “No matter how hard life gets, keep your head up and keep on smiling, it WILL get better. I promise you.”

Watch Schemmel’s video, ‘My Story’ here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dgadTcVu60