Fault In Our Stars.

Warning: This post contains spoilers. If you are planning on reading or watching Fault In Our Stars, don't read this!.


To the teens who have watched or read Fault In Our Stars,

I hope it meant something to you. I hope it made you feel something. I hope it made you angry, sad, confused. I hope you walked out of that theater with a new perspective. I hope you realize how precious life can be.

This book/film, while terribly sad, is important. Not only does it show you the realities of childhood cancer, but it shows you that life, at any point, can take a turn. That we are lucky to be on this earth, right now, and that we need to live it to the fullest while we can. That we should not waste our time on silly drama, but that we should embrace those around us and love them with all of our might. Because we CAN.

Although I read the book a few years back and knew what to expect, I was still sobbing in the theater on Saturday night. I can't help it. It's just not natural to watch something like that happen. We avoid illness and death and all that other scary stuff because we assume it's not going to happen to us. But it could- it could happen to anyone. It's happening to my dad right now. And while he is fighting and is healthy, it still scares me to my core. The fear that was displayed in that movie is very real. It is something way too many people are dealing with, right now. And we don't even think about it, because we are too worried about other little things.

It's time to start thinking about it, and to start doing something about it. If Fault In Our Stars made you feel something, if you shed a tear or felt some emotion, there are ways you can help comfort those who are dealing with cancer, just like Hazel and Gus. You could become a volunteer and visit people, try to cheer them up. You could donate your books, your old toys, to the children's wing at hospitals so that they have something to do. You can donate $ to your local hospital or to various cancer organizations (I suggest American Cancer Society, because I happen to know the amazing things that they do). You could run a 5k and dedicate it to someone who CAN'T run because they are too sick. Those are just a few ways you can lend a hand and your heart to show cancer that we are paying attention, and we aren't going to back down.

Fault In Our Stars is a love story, but it's so much more than that. Please know that. Please live each moment mindfully. Realize that your words and actions mean something.

I empathize with you as you wrap your head around this story. And if you've ever lost someone, I know it hurt to relive that grief through the movie. But know- this is your only chance you've got to be truly alive and to make a mark. Ready. Set. Go.

Love, Megan.