To say that I’ve been through the wash this semester would be an understatement. I’ve been through the wash desperately, and multiple times like a favorite shirt that was stained with chocolate, spaghetti sauce and mud all mixed together. Despite all the obstacles I’ve faced this semester, I’m currently staying afloat.

I wish I could say this moderate success was all due to me. That I opened a can of Popeye spinach, grew muscles and singlehandedly overcame every problem in my path. In reality, staying stable has been in large part thanks to my friends. While on most days I couldn’t get the motivation to get out of bed or to enjoy ‘grilled cheese Wednesdays’ at Taylor, I always had someone to pull me out of my cocoon of sadness.

Being thankful for your friends may seem obvious to most people, but it came as a huge smack in the face to me. After having my heart broken, my grades plummet and my health crumble, my friends have been the only things keeping me going. They are the single ray of sunshine in my ‘Johnny Rain Cloud’ semester. I will never be able to repay them for all that they have done for me.

Moral of the story, be thankful for the friends in your life. They’ve stayed with you through the good times, the bad times, and the worse times. A little compassion goes a long way. I will be forever grateful to the friend who surprised me on that dark day with a vanilla chia latte. I am forever indebted to them, and one day when they need a friend to help them up I will most certainly be there.

Delaney Killian, sophomore communication disorders and science major