Staring at a blank wall, a blank white wall. Subconsciously knowing you're breathing, blinking, and feeling but consciously not feeling a thing. That's grief. That's one of the worst feelings anyone can experience.

Ironically, I'm writing this doing just that. My great-grandmother is in critical condition in the hospital, and we are unsure of the outcome at this point. A year ago two days ago I was sitting in the hospital saying goodbye to one of my greatest high school friends. You'd think the more you feel this white wall emotion, it would get easier - but it doesn't.

Death is a weird thing. I wish there was some way we could all know, prior to passing away, what it will be like on the other side. I wish there was a way to know if "heaven" is really what everyone says it is. I wish there was some way we could communicate with our loved ones that have passed and be reassured that they are OK. I wish this emotion didn't feel like life was being sucked out of you.

I didn't think that I had the words to write an article like this after my friend passed. The more and more I thought about what I could write, nothing came to mind. I don't think anyone really has words when it comes to death.

The number one subject that has inspired me to write this article is my hometown community. I have never been so proud of something in my entire life. Whether it was a high school basketball game, the state football game, the destructive tornado that came through town, our sweet Alayna Ertl being taken too soon, Jake and Zach taken too soon, building on to our schools, everyone is always willing to work together, and be there for one another during a crisis. Our community comes together even when there is not a crisis.

Family, friends, and your surrounding community are huge factors in your grieving process. I know they have been in mine. If you don't have a strong support system behind you, how are you supposed to continue on? Personally, I don't know. I don't know how people with support systems continue going through anything in life.

Life is such a precious gift. Life is such a precious journey. We are all precious beings that have a path to take in life. Some have shorter paths than others. Some have more rugged paths than others. I believe we are all given a path we can handle.

Grief is honestly the hardest journey in this life. Saying goodbye to those that you have spent your valuable time with, your laughs, your cries, your birthdays, your most favorite memories. Most people say that dying is harder for the surrounding persons than it is for the person themselves and I 100% believe that. Fortunately, we all have that one source we go to for hope. God, The Universe, whatever your heart believes in, there is one thing keep your head on your shoulders reminding you that this is a natural healing process, and eventually you will be OK. You will get through this.

I believe my grieving process will never get easier because I care too much for those around me. I feel so blessed to be able to say that though. I have so many great people in my world that make my heart smile. I hope you have people in your life that make your heart smile as well.

Let us remember the happy memories we've experienced with those who have passed. Let us reminisce when we smell those certain smells, and feel those hugs around us. Let us be there for one another when we are going through the grieving process. Let us be at peace.

Jake Foehrenbacher. 4.14.16.

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;but those who hope in the LORDwill renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."