Augusta+M.



Clichés

By: Augusta Massie March 28, 2010

Many clichés are untrue or interpretive. “The glass is half full” is a cliché that is very deceitful because in my opinion it can be interpreted multiple ways. Saying “the glass is half full” means that the glass is //only// half full; on the other hand, saying the glass is half empty implies optimism, its //only// half empty.

On the other hand, I think there is one true, virtuous, and unfailing cliché that has been true and will continue to be true—**life is short.** I was exposed to this harsh, yeat sometimes liberating reality at the age of 10. No, my dog did not die. My grandmother did not die either. Austin Armstrong died.

Who is Austin Armstrong and why is he so significant and such a pertinent example of **life is short?** Austin Armstrong was an “All-Star” pitcher for NYO’s A team; every summer he would travel around the country pitching for his (and America’s) beloved sport. Austin was very, very smart. The final trait of this triple-play was that Austin was one of the most congenial boys in our fifth grade class.

Sunday, November 23, 2003: Austin Armstrong with Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong attend the Open House at Pace Academy. There, the Armstrong family see the Massie family. Mr. Robert Massie one said "One Sunday the Armstrong's were planning for their son's future, the next Sunday their son had no future."

Monday, November 24, 2003: Austin Armstrong stays home from school, his parents think he has a cold. Austin was deeply misdeed in a PE game of kick-ball, because he can kick the hardest, run the fastest, and throw/pitch the ball with the most accuracy.

Tuesday, November 25, 2003: Austin’s parent’s now think he has strep, however the soon find him without a heartbeat, not breathing in his room. They phone their next door neighbor, Dr. Drew Huber, father of Patrick Huber, Austin’s longtime best friend. Dr. Huber, immediately sprints (no dramatization, he is a marathon runner) from his house to the Armstrong Home. He finds Austin unconscious, unresponsive with no signs of life. Dr. Huber desperately tries to revive Austin, who is later pronounced dead.

Wednesday, November 26, 2003: The grade representative calls every parent in the grade, informing them that Austin Armstrong died the day before.

Thursday, November 27, 2003: Thanksgiving Day 2003

Sunday, November 30, 2003: A funeral is held for Austin at the Cathedral of St. Philip.

Monday, December 1, 2003: Psychologist from the City of Atlanta Public Schools came to talk to us about this tragic death of a 10 year old boys who was sure to be a bright star.

On Monday, December 1, 2003 I discovered, at the ripe age of 10, that **Life is too short.** That is a cliché but, it is the truest cliché I have ever encountered.

For all of you want-to-be doctors (I am included in this group) Austin died of Bacterial Meningitis, which usually kills within 24 hours. Bacterial Meningitis is very difficult to diagnose; the daughter of the Chief of Medicine at Children's Hospital died of this same disease many years ago.

Back to my thesis, I believe l**ife is short** and I strive to live everyday with the knowledge that anyone around me, including my self could be gone in a matter of minutes, hours, days, weeks, moths, or years. I cannot stand when people talk about the "inevitable;" the inevitable is that we are all going to die, so we are being arrogant by wasting our precious time thinking/talking bout the "inevitable."

Above is a famous picture of the midshipmen, coming back from the most gruesome war the world has seen, taking life as it comes and kissing a stranger (thank you Emily) for all the world to see. After coming back from war this young naval officer knows that **life is too short** to waste it away saying "I should have done x, y, and z...;" he lives life as if it is short in this moment.

The format of your article (the day-by-day account of what happened to Austin) struck me as very interesting. As a side note, the man in the photo is kissing a complete stranger, not his girlfriend, but nevertheless I quite enjoyed the reading. :) --Emily Dixon

Thank you for correcting me, I guess I read to wrong information. However, that enhances my point even more. Thanks again!! McCauley Massie

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