Losing someone you're close to is never easy. In fact, it's one of the hardest things you'll ever do. If you're like me, you'll cry. A lot. It has been a year since I lost my grandfather, and I still have those moments pretty often. You will find ways (preferably healthy ways) to cope with this loss. This is not an article to bring you down, but to prepare you. When you lose someone, do not lose yourself. You have to face life head on and tell yourself that you will get through anything life throws at you... even the death of someone you love.

1. You deny it.

Denying death is the easiest way to cope sometimes. You will feel as though its just a dream or something you've made up. It's strange, but it makes it easier. When my grandfather passed away, all I could think is "This cannot be happening, it can't be real".

2. If they passed due to a sickness, you struggle to remember them healthy.

The last way you saw them alive is more than likely the way you will remember them for a while. Eventually, the good memories come back, but it takes a while. It's been a year since I lost my Pawpaw and I still struggle to remember him when he could walk and talk well. Get through this. It's hard, but you can do it.

3. You will see them in everything.

Everywhere you go and everything you see will remind you of them. Sunflowers remind me of my Pawpaw, suddenly, I see sunflowers EVERYWHERE. You will hear something that reminds you of them, you will go somewhere you used to go with them, or you will do something you used to do with them, and the memories will come flooding back.

4. You will want to talk about them all the time.

It doesn't matter who is around, what you're doing, or where you are... you'll want to talk about them. Talking helps, believe me. Something about your conversation will spark a memory and you'll want to share it. Do it. Talk about them. It helps.

5. It never gets easier.

Don't read this and think "Gosh, way to bring me down". No, I'm not trying to bring you down, I'm bringing you the truth. It doesn't get easier. People will say it does, but it doesn't. It never will get easier. BUT you will learn how to cope with your loss.