Clinging” by Nina Rico

conflicting emotions of a happy memory and the somber reality of the present almost interchangeably. I had mourned the loss of loved ones before, my grandfather, for example, but never a loss so premature. Dean’s passing burned a bitter reality in my soul—life is not always fair. This despair, however, was then overridden with a deep and personal need to honor him. Dean, an angel, was pushing me to do more. I joined his family to fundraise in Dean’s name and to live by what is now known as “The Dean Code.” We joined forces with a neighbor that manufactures baseball caps and customized a design to honor Dean. We sold the caps to raise funds for pediatric brain cancer research. Additionally, I went a step further and organized a team in Dean’s memory at a local fundraiser for cancer. Dean’s passing sparked a flame of passion to do good and to do more in the face of something so terrible. It was, I must admit, an awakening. And finally, I remember turning over the funds I had raised to Dean’s parents. I wish it could have been more and I knew it would not bring back Dean, but I was humbled by the opportunity to stand before that family a better man because of their late son’s everlasting impact on me. In fact, I realized that I mourned Dean by living what is now known as “The Dean Code”—that is, I acted with a genuine and kind heart. While Dean’s passing is perhaps the greatest tragedy I have ever witnessed, I can say that it transformed me. I can now say that good may still come of something that is so utterly sad. I learned to honor others’ struggles selflessly. And, I learned that innocence and kindness are transformative and timeless. Dean, through his innocence and kindness, changed us forever. Indeed, as I write this, I have Dean’s little hand on my back, and I am confident that I will do more for this world because of Dean.

Clinging

Nina Rico ‘22 Digitally manipulated photography

“In the eye of the storm we cling to what is most important.”