Last week, my grandfather passed away. It was unexpected. It was upsetting. It still is. Last week, I found out my grandfather passed away on a Monday and I couldn't do anything. I was stuck in Boston until Thursday. It felt as though I was going through motions, not really present in whatever I was doing.

It was so weird to me. I sat in lecture and no one knew that someone's life came to an end. I sat in class and wondered how many other people could be going through the same thing I was.

I could be all cliche and give the Merriam-Webster's definition of grief, but I don't think it encompasses the precise feeling of grief. I don't think there are many words to use when someone dies. Even when a person says they're "sorry for your loss" - what does that mean? There's nothing to be sorry for. But what else can you say?

After I found out, I told one of my roommates and we just sat together until I calmed down. I think that's all I needed. I can't believe the amount of people that comforted me last week and through the weekend. I appreciate them deeply. I don't know what I'd do without them.

It's hard to remember that there's so much love around us. I felt that love last week when flowers appeared on my desk and a text message of hearts was sent from a friend.

The worst part about death is that you have to go back to normal. But how can there be a new normal? There's someone missing from your life. That's so scary. There is an alternative though. It's to honor that grief and sadness and pain. Then let it go. We can't actively have this in the forefront of our minds.

Grieving is a weird process. You might be sitting quietly somewhere and suddenly feel a deep hurt in your chest. But that can't stop you from going on with life. Honoring the feeling is all you can do. There's nothing to be guilty for if you continue life.