The Track and Me

Epilogue

"Carrie Ryan takes the lead in the last curve and beats the track record!"

I looked up at the cheering crowd in my blue and gold track attire. This was my last race before I graduate with my degree in psychology.

After careful consideration I decided to become a therapist. I wanted to help others like so many helped me.

"Carrie Ryan just beat the track record of Mars Hill University alumni and her late father, Mark Ryan."

Everything has been going great. Maddie and Dylan got married last summer and are expecting a little one in a few months. They are both very much in love and living together in an apartment off the MTSU campus.

My grandma sadly passed away last year. She was such an amazing individual that deserved more than just me. Jake became very close with her and he helped me with her passing. I miss her every day but I keep going forward.

"Ryan!"

I turned around and seen Jake running at me in his track uniform.

"You were amazing out there. I have never seen you run like that." He said after he kissed me.

"It was my last time on the track. I had to make it special."

Jake pulled me into his chest. "Whatever my loving fiancé says."

Did I mention I'm engaged? Jake proposed before my grandma passed away. She said always said she wouldn't leave me until she knew I was taken care of and she meant that. She passed a week after the proposal.

"I love you." I said kissing him again.

"And I love you."

We walked out of the track hand in hand.

Jake decided to major in criminal justice. He wanted to help put people and keep people behind bars that were like his father.

Life finally had a purpose. Life was finally something that I've always wanted and never knew if I'd find.

I never heard from Kate again. To this day I have no idea where she went with her life.

The Trojans have went to the championship every year since we graduated and they won every time. I know it was all because of our amazing track Coach.

Jake and I have already planned a wedding. It is set to happen this summer. Maddie is my maid of honor and upset that she is going to be pregnant in the pictures but she is glowing and will get over it eventually.

I'm sad that I won't have my father there to walk me down the aisle or any of my family there. Jake and I already decided to invite all of our old track team. His family took me in as their own but it still isn't the same.

"You know what I'm most sad about once we get married?"

"I would hope nothing."

"Am I going to start calling you Stanley? You won't be a Ryan anymore?"

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I've learned several things in the past few years. When I lost my parents I went into a dark place. I didn't know what to live for anymore. This story isn't just about my life. It's trying to show all of you how life goes on. Find something to live for. Find the thing that makes you want to get up every morning. Find the person who loves you for who you are and not for who they want you to be. Life goes on whether we want it to or not. We have to roll with the punches and get through this. We only have one life. We might as well live it to the fullest.

I was lucky. Jake found me when I couldn't find myself. Jake Stanley found me. When everything was crashing down, he was there to help me rebuild. Everything isn't perfect. I don't think I'll ever be completely better however I've came a long way from where I was and that's the point of this story. Where you are today isn't where your going to be tomorrow. Never give up on yourself.

I never think I can forget these past few years. I can't think of a reason I would ever want to. Through it all I came out of the other side. The track made me who I am. The track made me who I was. The Track and Me is my story. What's yours?

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Hello my wonderful readers! 😁

Wow. It's over. This book was a struggle in the beginning. I began writing this book with an inspiration but many things got in the way before I could finish it. A few days ago I was reading through what I had posted and I knew I had to finish this book. Even if this book helps one person it did what I set out to do. Do not let anxiety or depression rule your life. I've been there and it's scary. I know but life gets better. This is probably my favorite book that I've written and probably the hardest to write. Writing about depression and anxiety disorders is difficult. I hope that I gave this book justice. Please comment, like, share, and follow me. Remember, you aren't alone.

As of right now I am not going to be writing any more books. I'm sorry but I don't have any inspiration or ideas to write about. So I'm taking a small break from writing. Once the inspiration comes so will my writing. Thank you all for reading.

As always
-J