Dean Moriarty

 In our lives, we have all come across someone that has changed us significantly. Whether this person was only in your life for a few minutes of a few years, you have an attachment to them that you can never change. This person is the one who always ends up coming back no matter the case. They will get on a plane and always get off in the city that is closest to you, but we never truly notice this do we? In On The Road, we meet the character of Dean Moriarty. Dean was the everlasting constant for the protagonist, Sal. No matter what year, what day, or where Sal was, Dean always managed to find a way back to him. Although their friendship wasn't years worth of significant memories, high school reunions, or every day visits, it was something that Sal kept with him as he went through his journey of life. The two were ships that passed in the night, only seeing each other for a second but still appreciating their time. Sal left a part of himself with Dean, and Dean left a part of himself with Sal. However, there always comes a time to say goodbye. Whether this is through tragedy, growing older, or the nature of falling out of the line with one another, we always learn to appreciate what our person has taught us. For Sal, Dean taught him to take every chance that life gave him, love freely, forget time, and just live. Dean is the person that you have known for decades that only texts you every once in a while, but once the message is received, it feels as though time never slipped from the friendship. Dean was the person who made us feel alive while we listened to loud music with the windows down and no destination in sight. Dean was the bridge that stopped the pouring rain for just a second. Sometimes, a second is all we need with that one person. A second to realize that the world can crash down on us at any moment, but if we keep driving, we forget the loud sounds of it hitting our windshield. A second that reminds us of why we chose to take that drive instead of letting the anxiety of homework overflow our bodies. A second to remember that we are humans, not machines. So I tell you this, recognize your Dean Moriarty. Don't be like Sal and realize too late just how big of an impact they have made on your life. Know your Dean, and run with them. Run with them with no destination and no time. Take what they are offering you, fold it, and place it within your heart. Most of all, appreciate the ship that passes only once in a while. Admire that you both have crossed paths at the perfect second. Confide in your Dean and let them confide in you. Because when the time comes you to press play on that stopwatch that has only shown a second, you're going to wish you had more time.