What is it like to lose someone? It's grueling, intense, like a piece of you is ripped away from the world. You can never talk to that person, call them, tell them you absolutely love their guts. It's not the loss of the person that makes you crazy, it's the loss of yourself through grieving for the ones we have lost. You lose a piece of yourself when a loved one passes. It's the pain and sadness you feel mixed with a need to celebrate their life. Or maybe it’s the feeling of guilt. Guilt creeps up on you, whispering in your ear all of the things you should have done, things you should have said, all of the times you should have visited when you neglected to. Guilt is a nasty little monster, it will eat away at you and you can’t help but dwell on those feelings.

Possibly the worst pain is seeing the ones alive and close to you suffer just as much, if not more than yourself. It’s overwhelming, completely heart-wrenching to observe the sadness and tears that fall on their faces. What really hits home is when I look into their eyes. The eyes are the windows to the soul and disclose more about how an individual is feeling more than words could ever express. A person’s eyes will never lie, eyes will always tell the truth.

The mourning period is subjective to everyone; everyone conveys and feels emotions uniquely. We can sugarcoat things, pretend to feel nothing but pain demands to be felt. It's only human to suffer once in a while. We have to remember time is fleeting and to take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself.

If you have lost a loved one recently, embrace your pain, be with family and friends, and let the flood gates open because it's only natural. Moral of the story, appreciate what you have, and most importantly, who you have in your corner because you truly do not know when they can be taken from your grasp.

I love you, Grandpa Jim. Rest In Peace.