When I was very young, grief wasn’t very familiar to me. I had always heard people talk about their losses of their family members and while I did feel bad for them, I hadn’t had a similar experience. I remember feeling so lucky because I still had both of my parents and both sets of grandparents. I even had my great- grandpa whom I called abuelo.

In late 2020, my cat passed away due to medical issues and although some people may not see that as a huge deal…my pets are always treated as family so it was very difficult for me at first. Then, in January of 2021, my abuelo passed away at the age of 91 and that was very hard but it also was expected in a way.

A year later, my granny passed away the day after I found out she was passing. My family and I had rushed to the hospital the day before and we had fortunately gotten the chance to say goodbye. I will always be grateful for that moment because I’ve heard of many cases where saying goodbye wasn’t an option.

I remember missing the remainder of the school week because of how difficult it was for me. I remember texting my friends that I wouldn’t be in the right mood for a while because I constantly thought about her. It made me sad knowing I would never be able to see or talk to her again.

This is also a reminder that you truly never know what someone could be going through, and being kind could help make someone’s day.

Grieving is something that is inevitable although it can be a burden. It’s always the worst in the beginning but it eventually gets easier to bear with time. The heartache and anger you feel may never go away but you will be able to live through it. You should think about the good memories you were lucky to have with that person instead of thinking of what is now gone. Nothing can be changed now and it’s important to never let grief stop you. Your loved one would want you to bloom beautifully without them, despite having your thorns.

Everyone gets through hardships like grieving in their own ways. Someone may get a therapist, read, workout or sleep. Whichever works best for you should be your choice.

In the end, we’re just trying to make it day by day..not only for ourselves but for the ones we miss. It has been almost three years since my granny’s passing. I always think of her and I usually cry every time I do. I remember feeling so sad every time I’d see someone with their grandma.

Now, it is getting easier, slowly but surely and I feel happy for others when I see a grandmother’s love. Cherish your loved ones while they’re still here because tomorrow is never promised. To grieve, is to have known someone special.