One of the earliest memories I can remember is being at my grandparents’ house on my last day as a four-year-old. I was sitting on their chair and my grandpa was reminding me how that would be the last day of my life that I would ever be four years old. 

Twenty-three years later, I find myself on the last day of 27.

The past year has been incredible. It’s been emotional, challenging, and rewarding, among so much more. I learned a lot about myself and where I’m trying to go in life. This type of learning happens every year, but this year in particular was one where I really made some moves. I changed jobs, got engaged, staring visiting Las Vegas more than once every 27 years. You know, important stuff.

I think this year means (meant) a little more to me because of something my old roommate Brent once told me. He said that the age of 27 was the prime age of a person’s life, pointing to sports figures and musicians (RIP Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, et al) who found themselves at the peak of their profession at age 27. He looked forward to age 27 so that he could experience that prime period of his life as well.

Brent never made it to 27. He died in December 2011 at the age of 26.

I always looked up to him in a lot of ways, most notably because of his work ethic and how genuinely great of a person he was. I’d be lying if I said that part of the reason I took the actions that I took this year weren’t because of Brent and the impact he’s had on my life.

And now, on this final day of the prime year of my life, I will spend time with friends celebrating a great year and celebrating life. Brent’s life, the lives of Jimi, Janis, Kurt, and Jim, as well as yours and mine.

Because being alive is awesome. Here’s to another 27.