aware to care: dancing in heaven.

utah county lost a beautiful girl yesterday. though i never personally knew her, with her quite often visits to victoria secret i could tell she was one of a kind and lit up the whole place with her big smile. and with my roommate, hannah, dancing with her for years,  i have heard endless stories or her wonderful personality. my heart aches for her family and best friends. as i was thinking about how unreal it seemed that this could happen to such a happy girl i started to really think about things. there are many many happy people going through hard times. and maybe we don't see it but it's happening every day around us.

every year 402 utahans commit suicide while 4,152 attempt.
it is the second leading cause of death in ages 10 to 24.
3 utah youths are treated everyday for suicide attempts.
utah has one of the highest suicide rates in the U.S.

the sadness, pain, and endless questions are heart breaking. as i am sure most of you have noticed, scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, and other social media, many have shared their love for Sydney and hundreds of prayers have been offered in behave of her and her family.

whether you were extra close to her or not, Sydney taught us all a lesson in her own special way. hold your family a little closer, love your friends a little more, be a little kinder. the community has come together in an amazing way to celebrate the life of the beautiful girl.

now let us all take this lesson. let's be AWARE TO CARE. "be kind to people, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle"

give a smile to someone you walk by, post a nice comment on a picture or Facebook wall, give a sincere compliment and look them in the eye, give a hug, really listen when someone is talking to you, reach out a little more, invite someone who may be alone to join your friends. the difference YOU can have is literally life changing in some people's lives. and all you have to do are little, simple things everyday.

i don't know about you but yesterday i noticed all the things i take for granted and just how precious life is. and now i'm making a promise to myself to reach out to others a little bit more, be a little friendlier, and most importantly remember i am a daughter of a heavenly father who loves me and he loves YOU just the same. the love i feel from Him i want to spread to each person i meet.

it's one smile. one, "how are you doing today?", one text saying you were thinking about them and how much they mean to you, one small think that makes a world of difference.

though i didn't know her super well, this one is for Sydney who lit up every room she walked into, put a smile on each persons face, and danced to her own lively song. may she always be in our hearts, and let us never forget her amazing impact.

spread the love here on earth while she does it in heaven and all around us with her continuing spirit.

you and your family are in mine and so many others prayer's.

may we all strive to reach out more, be a little kinder, and may Syd's smile shine on forever.