~Cooper Low, Class of 2025

“Yo dude, look!”

“What?”

”The sunset, it’s so beautiful! Don’t you wish you could make it last forever?”

”Yeah, that would be nice bro.”

“But I really wish I could make it last forever. Sunsets are so comforting. They are like the best feelings in the world. Whether it’s the best dream ever, or a delicious dessert right after the best meal. I only see it once a day for like, 10 minutes. Most days I even miss it. I mean, I even missed yesterday’s, and the day before that, and then the one after that.”

”Maybe you weren’t supposed to see that sunset. Maybe some things just aren’t meant to be everything happens for a reason, ya know?”

”But what if it did last forever? It would make everyday beautiful. Every minute, every second, I could look outside and see a beautiful sunset.”

”But don’t you get it? Then no sunset would be as special. That’s what makes it beautiful. That’s what makes it so memorable, and something you cherish.”

”True, but…”

”We only see it for a short amount of time, and we just get to appreciate it for the time it’s here.”

”And then it’s gone. Just like that. Gone for another 24 hours.”

”But if you think about it that way, then everything happens once. Why keep thinking about a mistake you made? It’s in the past. Just like yesterday’s sunset. You’ll make more mistakes, for sure, but they will pass just like each day’s sunset, and a new day will start.” 

”You’re not talking about a sunset are you?”

”Maybe, maybe not. That’s for you to decide. Anything, everything.”

”Appreciate the small things, ‘cause not everything lasts forever.” 

Henry helps Josh off the bridge, and they are greeted by hugs from loved ones and police sirens