Losing a parent is one of the worst things that can occur in a child's life. The intensity of the pain and grieving that follows immediately after one's passing is insurmountable. This suffering will linger with every passing milestone in life. While death is inevitable, it goes to say that no one wants someone they love to pass away. My good friend Logan is one of the strongest people I have ever met for how he handled the passing of his father. I commend him for his strength.

Many of the people one meets in high school will have a great effect on their life. Some they may never forget. For me, Logan was one of those people. He came into my life as a friend who always made everyone laugh and smile. On January 10th of 2018, Logan's life changed forever. He lost someone near and death to him.

I will always remember that night. Logan stepped through my front door in tears and whispered, "he's gone." The days that followed were chaotic, full of funeral planning and people's well wishes. I will never know what made Logan flock to me during this time but I am glad he chose me to help him escape. He handled everything with such strength that I am still amazed. Planning the entire service, standing strong through the wake, and going to social functions while filtering everyone's nervous interactions. I don't know how he did it, I would have gone insane.

As the weeks passed the buzz and sympathy began to fade. As the town moved on, Logan was left to deal with the pain of losing his dad. He struggled and definitely had bad days, but overall, Logan remained steady and functioning throughout the rest of the school year and into summer. I respect almost all people, but very few as much as I will always respect Logan. The way he gracefully handled 2018 and the amount of strength he mustered while preserving that tragedy is indescribable. No matter where life takes Logan I have no doubt in my mind that he will be successful in whatever he chooses to do.