Nobody is ready for the hurt and pain of losing someone close to them, especially when that person is someone you couldn't imagine living without. Everyone will experience pain and loss in their life; expected or unexpected, the ache and suffering feel like they will never go away.
Nothing could have prepared me for the death of one of my best friends, but the lessons I have learned and the things I have experienced I believe have built me into the stronger person I am today.
- You are not alone. People know what you are going through. It is guaranteed that someone else is feeling the same hurt and distress you are. Find them, they will help you.
- You cannot hide from pain. No matter how far you try to run or how much you try to forget, the pain will catch up to you. You have to face it otherwise you will be faced with picking up all the pieces of your hurt and broken self in the future.
- It’s okay to be angry. You'll be angry at God for taking away someone that means so much to you. You'll be angry at the world for not letting them get to experience everything he/she should have. You'll be angry at everyone that doesn't understand. Let the anger burn, then let it go.
- There are things that will be forever ruined. You feel happy when that one song comes on in the car. As you start to sing it, it may bring tears to your eyes. Let it.
- You will never forget. You may think you'll never remember how it sounded when he laughed, how his eyes sparkled when he smiled, how he was a die-hard Tar Heels fan, or how he lived for perfect hair… but you will. The endless stories and memories will not fade, don't worry.
- Letting go will feel terrible. In the beginning, laughing and smiling will feel like the ultimate betrayal. You will feel as if you don't deserve happiness in your life. You must live your life the way he would want you to. He is watching over you; he would want you to celebrate the good moments he got to experience.
- “Be strong.” That does not mean put on a front for people. It means finding the beauty out of all of the ugly and finding reasons to go on.
- Never forget to tell people “I love you.” Three simple words.
- “Tomorrow is not guaranteed.” Life is one of the greatest gifts we can ever receive. It is also something that can be taken away in the blink of an eye.
- Live your life to the fullest. Although cliché, it is true. The road ahead is winding, you never know what is around the next bend. Find love, find support, find happiness, and do what you love. Despite all the pain and struggles of this world, true happiness lives. You must find it and capture it.
