Taylor

"A song for a heart so big, God wouldn't let it live."
-Jimmy Eat World, "Hear You Me"

I grew up with Taylor. He came to my fifth birthday party, and was constantly a visitor at our house. There where always whispers, talk of something bad that us children could never quite understand, not until many years later. We knew he was different, but to what extent, at first, we had no idea. My mother told me that his heart "didn't work the way it was supposed to" and that was why he wasn't able to run like all the other kids or participate in physical exercise classes at school.

I remember the first time I truly understood that Taylor was different. We were at the beach. The heavy scars from all the surgeries he had where etched all across his chest, a harsh price to pay. But yet life went on—Taylor entered his 7th grade year as I entered 8th. It is important to describe his character, for such a polite, funny, and intriguing person you could not find anywhere else. He bore the pain of the many surgeries well, and one could not tell that such a happy optimistic boy as he had been through so much pain. He was loved by all. His sickness was a tragedy—things were not going as well as they should. Taylor needed a new heart or he would not survive.

A miracle: Taylor got a heart. If it would have been just a day later, he would have died. He underwent a long recovery, but soon was enjoying the luxuries of 'race day' in gym class. He was our miracle, our friend. A year afterwards, at 14 years old, Taylor died unexpectedly. He had united a community, and had a profound impact on all of our lives. His funeral was beautiful, with a turnout of about 1500 people. Although it has been hard, I have learned so much. He was an example to all of us. He is my utmost hero, and I don't think I will have the blessing of ever knowing such a person again.

Submitted by Anonymous

Character