a journey to appreciation

By: Wesley Bevell

The blackness of the extremely early day still clung to the roughed road as a car flew across the freeway, three sleeping children and two parents on their way to Disneyland. The car cut through the quiet night like butter, yet at an even pace.

Inside, a young Andres Cosio, barely old enough to understand the magic ahead, was already forming a memory he'd revisit years later as this was the first long field trip he’d be on. 

"I'd probably say going to Disneyland for the first time,"Andres was very fond when recalling this memory. "We left at like three in the morning." This early start became an event that would shape how he saw road trips. This very moment became a cherished event for Andres when it comes to road trips such as to rivers and lakes. 

17 year old high school senior, Andres, cherishes trips such as these with his parents and siblings, these events were among favorites until now. Yet, for a long time, the value of these moments went unappreciated as he would much rather stay home than go out and spend time because he would go hours at a time in a car with nothing to do. It wasn't until a few years ago that a small, yet big shift took place quietly. 

When his older sister got accepted into her dream college, Andres saw a future he hadn't considered for himself. "When I saw my sister get accepted into her dream school, that’s when I realized I wanted to try academically." 

At the same time, his parents’ aging made him realize the road trips wouldn't last forever, letting him appreciate every mile he and his family traveled together. But his biggest obstacle was still ahead. 

In middle school, small issues with his health began to turn up, evolving into an illness that would require a surgery. What he remembers most was not the physical pain, but the loss of doing normal everyday activities, things he should’ve been able to do, things he WAS able to do. 

"The worst part about the illness, I’d probably say… forgetting how to eat normally." During his recovery, he found his greatest comfort not just in a “I’m sorry for you" or a “Let me help you with that”, he was comforted by his one and only, his mom. 

"I was comforted by my mom the most," his reflection on which people comforted him the most. "We sat by each other's side and we handled it day by day." This difficult experience was made better with the people he surrounded himself with. This journey of a quiet fight against his illness transformed his life. 

Academically, he found that subjects like math weren't as difficult as they seemed. He now has a clear path for college, with a passion for biology and had an eye on UC Irvine, UC Santa Cruz, or a community college, which would allow him to stay connected to his sister.

Andres's story is a showing that strength isn't always some complicated and dramatic fight to win, sometimes, it can just be enjoying the simple moments in life while dealing with pain no one else around you can relate with. He is my friend, a boy I’ve seen since elementary school, but to others, a teenager struggling with post surgery, and to this story? 

Someone who has learned the importance of moving through pain, the importance of connecting and cherishing moments with family, and the amazing experience of appreciating the road ahead.