No one should have to suffer the loss of a parent at a young age, but unfortunately it does happen. It happened to me, my father passed away when I was just seventeen years old. I have learned many lessons from this experience.

1. Milestones in life are bittersweet.

I remember graduating from high school and not being as excited as I should have been. Why? Because the pain of my father not being there blowing his air horn when they called my name really took a toll on me. It is so incredibly hard to not have both parents there for important events in my life.

2. Getting jealous of people talking about their parents.

There have often been times when some of my friends would be talking about things that they had done with their dad previously, and every time I got a pang of jealousy. It's not fair but I just can't help it.

3. Getting mad when people complain about their parents.

I also hear people complain about their dads sometimes, and sometimes I hear things I really wish I hadn't. Every time, I get this feeling of rage and hurt because I feel that they don't appreciate their dads as much as they should.

4. Holidays are difficult.

No matter how much time has passed since my father passed away, every year around the holidays my grief increases, making me miss my dad even more, wishing he could be sitting at that empty chair at the dinner table like he usually would be.

5. The void never goes away.

You know how people say, "time heals all"? Well, I personally think that's crap. My father has been gone for three years now, and I still feel the ache in my heart every damn day. That's never going to go away.

6.) You learn that life is literally too short.

Since I went through this loss, it made me truly realize that life is too short, so I'm starting to make the most of mine. I'm beginning to go outside of my comfort zone and try things I have been scared to do my whole life.

7. You cherish the people who are there for you even more.

I will never forget the people who helped me get through the worst time of my life, and them being there for me means so much to me. I wouldn't be where I am today without them.

8. Grief comes in waves.

There are so many random times where the grief hits me all over again, and I feel like I just lost my father yesterday. It's okay though, it is natural to feel this way.

9. Having the motivation of making them proud of you.

I know that making my father proud is my biggest motivation. On days where I do not want to get up, this desire makes me get up and work my butt off over and over again.

10. You want to keep their memory alive.

Sometimes people do not want to do things that remind them of someone who passed away because the pain is too great. However, I'm the opposite. I want to do things that my dad loved to do so I can keep his memory alive.

11. There is no pain like watching them decline and eventually pass away.

I am still traumatized by being with my dad for two weeks, watching him become weaker and weaker and eventually pass away. The worst part about it is not being able to do anything to help, just the thought of it breaks my heart.

So, if you lost a parent at a young age like me, maybe you can relate to this article as well. Also know that if you need to talk to someone who has had similar experiences, you can talk to me.

All my love,

Kamille