Cady

The book, Mistaken Identity, relates to my life in a way that isn't so obvious. Growing up, I went to the same church and had lots of friends I grew up with. One of those friends was Cady Reed. Cady and I went to church together since we were born and our families have been friends since before then. When we got a little older her family stopped coming to our church and went to another, but we still saw each other occasionally and we kept in touch. In middle school, she was in eighth grade and cheered and I was in sixth grade, not quite old enough for middle school cheerleading. In high school, we cheered together my freshman year and sophomore year and she was the heart of our team. She had the best personality and was always cracking jokes and laughing her crazy obnoxious laugh that so many people knew. My sophomore year we got even closer when she made me do powerlifting with her. We complained a heck of a lot more than we lifted, but it was the most fun I ever had doing a sport. She would always be hungry for Bob Evans so she would take me after practice. I loved hanging out with her and regret not doing that more. Our time together as friends was cut short when Cady was tragically killed in a car accident the winter of my junior year, seven months after she graduated high school. Hearing the news was the hardest thing I’ve ever heard and I wouldn’t wish that feeling upon anyone. I’ve gotten better at hiding the way I feel, but it’s always so hard to do anything without missing her. I know she is watching over me but it doesn’t make the reality of it any easier. As you can see, I relate with the friends and family of the five students who didn’t survive the car accident. I can’t say I know how they feel, because everyone feels different after losing a loved one, but I can  definitely say I’ve been there.