For my Brother Cory

This past week has been a very saddening time in my life. My brother Cory passed away and he was laid to rest today. I had the opportunity to say a few words at the service. Below, you will find the eulogy that I made for the service. Cory, you will be forever loved.

Cory was my brother, but to others he was known as father, son, grandson, uncle, and friend. Despite the many titles, we all knew Cory as a Norwegian American Chargers-loving racecar fanatic. To many of us, he was also known as Pigz.

Cory was an adventurous guy who always did fun and crazy things with his buddies. However, after discovering the news of his expected parenthood, he became more mature and serious over his actions. Once Cason was brought to this world, Cory and he were inseparable. He has not only shared many special moments with Cason, but also to everyone around him. The memories that really stand out to me are the times I spent with him during our family gatherings.

Every Christmas, all the Norwegians in our family gathered to celebrate. We went to farmor and farfar’s house and ate farmor’s special meatballs and mashed potatoes. It was so special for me because I was able to see all of my older siblings and hear what has happened in their lives. After sharing stories, taking family pictures, and passing everyone gifts, we gave each other good-bye hugs. Every time I gave Cory a hug, I noticed the colorful tattoos as his arms wrapped around me. All of his tattoos fascinated me, especially the one with the American and Norwegian flags. I will always remember the feeling of warmth as his arms wrapped around me and how his tall stature contrasted to my small, child figure. We were far a part in age, but he will always be my exciting, big brother.

We will always remember Cory as the guy who lightened up the party and lived his life to the fullest. His life was an exciting and adventurous one that took him all the way to Europe and back. I would like to say a quote by Jack London that reminds me of how Cory perceived life.

“I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dryrot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”

Cory has lived a fun and adventurous life. He was kind, loving, and caring and he was always the joy of the party. Even though it is saddening and unfortunate for us, it was God’s plan to take Cory at this point in time. Cory has not only brought us together during his life, but also after his passing. I can’t even count all of the people I have met that have been special in Cory’s life, all from family to his buddies and to all of his friends’ families. After his passing, Cory has brought us together and that is what I want to embrace. Thank you Cory for touching all of our lives. We love you.

Setting Goals

I know there are many people – friends, family, and random readers – that may think that I set my goals way too high and that meeting my standards are unachievable, but I beg to differ. I do set very high goals, such as my goal to study at Oxford and to accomplish noteworthy work in my career, but these goals help drive me. They give me challenges in life, and what isn’t better than to accomplish your own challenges? It feels as though you have surpassed roadblocks that stand in the way of you navigating your way through life.

Even though I set high goals, I set small goals that lead up to the main one, which prevents me from becoming pessimistic. We need to take small step until we can achieve the overall goal. For me, I have already taken the small steps of doing the IB, going to Oxford, and researching university courses. Yesterday, I met a high goal achiever who is currently a competitive swimmer, even though her legs are paralyzed. The swimmer, Sarah Louise Rung, has won numerous of medals in the Paralympics and has plans of winning more in the next Paralympic Games in Rio. Her goal to be one of the best Paralympic swimmers has come true, because of all the small goals she accomplished before. After her accident, she wasn’t even able to sit upright in her chair. Now she has come far with her determination and support from her friends and family.

I believe anyone can achieve anything as long as they put their minds to it. You need to have an idea, make a main goal, decide the small goals that lead up to your final goal, and don’t give up. You will make it in the end.

Meeting my Idol

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be paralyzed? To not be able to move your body, no matter how many times you try. To one day be free to do whatever you want, but then to have your life turned upside down because of an accident. To be confined of the freedom of movement and independency. This is what one woman has faced in her life, and now she is a Norwegian Paralympic medalist swimmer. Her name is Sarah Louise Rung.

As I took my seat in the conference room, I noticed the familiar face of the well-known athlete. She easily glided her way across the room, preparing for her presentation. Once the voices of the conversing audience quieted down and everyone was in their seats, Sarah took her position in the middle of the room with a confident, excited smile. After a short introduction, a film assembled of homemade videos grasped our attention. The videos were of Sarah as a little girl living her normal life of swimming, hiking, and running; her wide smile and happy eyes constantly appeared. Being active was one of the most important and enjoyable moments in her life. Then, everything changed.

On the 1^st of September 2008, Sarah lay on a cot with a thin gown wrapped around her body. At only 19, she entered the operating room with the hope of straightening her crooked spine. The simple operation first went as planned with Sarah under anesthesia and the doctors repairing her back. Still under surgery, the medics woke her up from anesthesia and asked her to move her toes. Nothing happened. Once Sarah was fully awake, she noticed all of the doctors’ grim faces and realized something was terribly wrong. Moments later, she was informed of the saddening news that she was permanently paralyzed from the legs down. For the next few weeks, overwhelming emotions of frustration, anger, and sadness occupied her thoughts as she realized she could never walk, run, or ski again. She thought she could never be as active as she was before, but then she fought.

She took the challenge of rehabilitating herself and living an exciting, active life. She remembered the importance of being optimistic and positive about the situations around her, which helped her concentrate on the tasks at hand instead of living a depressive life. What also contributed to helping her move on was the help from the people around her and the challenges she had to face. After months of rehabilitation, she went to the pool for the first time since the accident and found herself at peace. She decided to continue training to be a competitive swimmer and set goals for herself. Through the help of her friends and family, she was able to accomplish her goals, which took her all the way to the Paralympics. Sarah concluded her presentation with a film of all the achievements in her swimming carrier with videos of her swimming against her fellow competitors. She won her races through her determination, and as she received her gold medals, a smile of joy crossed her face. She set her goals, and she has already set new ones for the future with plans to go to the next Paralympic Games in Rio.

Sarah was first like any other girl who loved being active, but then her life changed. After being affected by the saddening events of her life, she was able to twist them to her advantage and has accomplished more than most people do in a lifetime. She has won four Paralympic medals, won the 2014 Role Model Award by the Norwegian Sports Gala, and completed her higher education. From not being able to sit upright in her chair, to becoming a Paralympic champion has changed not only her life, but also the people’s lives around her. She has inspired many people – of all ages – to face their challenges in life and to never give up.

Me and Sarah Louise Rung at Kruse Smith