It's been over 2 years since my beautiful mother passed away. I was 17.

I was a senior in high school. I was applying to different colleges. I was preparing for graduation. I was excited for all of those things; but when my mother went to Heaven, I was focused on that and nothing else. The excitement and motivation were gone. I'm telling the truth when I say that I fell behind with a lot of things, including school.

But I rose back up again quickly, knowing that I didn't want to disappoint my mom. She didn't want me to slow down.

I had the SATs 4 days after she died. I remember an old friend urging me to take the test another time, because I had just gone through a terrible tragedy. She asked me, "Lyss, how can you even concentrate on anything right now?" I told her that my mother wouldn't have wanted me to quit. That was not the type of girl she raised.

That was the second time I took the test. I received better scores than the first time around. It was worth it. She gave me that extra encouragement.

During the first month, I remember that things were so off in our house. It was quiet. There was that emptiness lingering. Our whole world, the heart of our home, had went home to God.

I remember thinking that I would not get over my mother's death. There was no way on this planet. My mother was my rock and my best friend. I am a daddy's girl for sure, but I loved my mother just as much.

It hurt not having her around anymore. I was angry! I was so mad at that horrible cancer that took her away from us. I remember my brothers were so young going through this. They were 14 and 12. I have never seen them so upset. It broke my heart knowing that they were broken, and nothing could really be done about it.

But my father. Watching my father grieve was one of the hardest things I ever had to live with. No words could help the fact that his soulmate of 26 beautiful years had passed away. I honestly couldn't imagine going through what he went through. Yes, I lost a parent; but he lost his spouse. Two complete different things.

I used to think my mother was immortal. She was a nurse. I thought that she knew everything. She was Superwoman. She helped me out with the smallest things. She cooked and baked the best food you could ever taste. She had the power to heal. She took off of work when we were sick, and she knew the best remedies to get better as quick as possible (she didn't want us kids to miss anymore school). She knew how to have a great time. She was the best party-thrower. She always stated that everyone was welcome in our home, and no one was to ever be rejected. She was a lover of palm trees and hibiscus flowers. She loved warm weather; Florida and Mexico were her paradises. You could always find her on the beach or floating around in our pool. She loved Malibu Bay Breezes, margaritas, and pina coladas. She was a sweetheart. She had the best smile and the most contagious laugh. She was beautiful, even on her bad days. Her blond hair was an eye-catcher. She was so funny! She was STRONG. She was literally the best mother in the world.

All of that was gone, and I had trouble wrapping my head around it.

This article isn't a repeat of the first article I wrote. I don't like being repetitive, but what I do like is giving advice.

To all of the people who have lost a parent at a young age: listen to me. It's okay to not be okay.

2 years later, I still cry at the most random times, wishing my mother were here in person. The most simplest things could remind you of your parent and you could start sobbing. Yes, over something so little. Believe me, it happens. I sometimes look at the sky or a certain article of clothing and I start tearing up. It's not impossible. But just let the tears fall. It's healthy and normal.

You will hear a lot of people say that they can't imagine what you're going through, and they feel sorry. It's true that they care. But what bothers me is that they sometimes say they know how you feel. Unless they actually have been through what you have been through, they really don't know what it's like to lose a parent. The pain you feel will never compare.

It also hurts to hear people complain about their parents. Yes, we argue with our parents and complain about them. But they do the things they do because they love you. You need to cherish them because they could be gone tomorrow. My mother and I argued like mothers and daughters do. But I would give anything in the world to tell her that I loved her one more time.

People have different grieving processes. It took me a while to accept the fact that my mother was never coming back, but I am now in the acceptance stage. There are people who are still grieving over her. So it's all good to grieve as long as possible. I know it hurts.

What's most important is that you should keep his/her spirit alive. Get something in memory of them. Keep a bunch of pictures of them, and always keep those pictures with you. I have a necklace filled with my mother's ashes. I wear her around every day so she's literally with me all the time. I have her pictures so I can still see her. I also have a tattoo dedicated to her. It was my first one, and it'll always be my favorite out of all the tattoos I get.

I seriously know it's hard. There are going to be milestones. Every day I think about my future wedding and my future family of my own. I think about all the times when I would need both my mom and dad. I hate knowing that my mother will never be here in person again. But then I realized that she will ALWAYS be with me in spirit. I'll never be alone. I know she's watching.

Coming from me, please remember that it is okay to not be okay. You are allowed to feel the way you do. There are going to be bad days. Just let them happen. You'll see your guardian angel in your dreams, reminding you that everything will be okay. I see mine whenever I'm worried or stressed. My mother knew how to make me feel better. Even though your angel isn't here, they will still show they love you in any way.

It's horrible.

I know.

But you will get better. You won't feel those knives in your heart anymore. You'll be able to breathe. That doesn't mean you won't miss your parent each and every day.

It's crazy and scary, but it's also not the end.

You got this. Be strong.

I love you and miss you always, Mom.