The loss of a loved one is always a difficult time, and it seems that the hurt never seems to go away; instead it is just numbed. My holiday season was unlike most, losing one of my most beloved right after. Losing my grandmother, who also embodied my childhood best friend, was both shocking and deeply saddening. While it is important to mourn for a soul who has touched so many that has left Earth, it is also important to celebrate their life and live for them.

There are many life experiences and lessons that can be taught from a single soul that it is amazing and overwhelming. Many of the time we seem to not realize the lessons that were learned until after they have passed because it just seemed ordinary to us. From my grandmother as my personal example, I learned to care selflessly for others. It is important to show others our love for another because we never know when we shall leave this Earth.

While learning to live through what their soul has taught us, it can be also very difficult to fully accept and fathom that their time is over here, and that they are on to better places. It is more important now more than ever to remember the good rather than the bad and be able to look back on your relationship with a smile and to regret nothing.

Losing someone that is so close to you only reinforces your love for them. Love is timeless and it doesn't end just because their soul is no longer a part of this world. Love is something that is intangible by time and is essentially everlasting after your soul parts this Earth as well. Even though you can no longer feel their warm touch, their love is always upon you.

Even if you do not believe religiously, I personally believe that there is something better beyond this Earth. Especially with the passing of someone I adore, I tend to notice some strange things that I interpret as "signs" from them that their love is still watching over you. Whether it be a song, a sunrise, a sunset or some other weird coincidence, it does put one's mind at ease believing that the ones that you have lost never really leave you. Sure, they may not physically be here, but their soul does live on elsewhere.

Loss of a loved one changes you deeply, whether you notice it or not. It is not just out of the blue that these people are there to influence your life, they are there with a purpose. Do not take anyone for granted on this Earth, because you never know when today will be anyone's last day here. It is a sad but underlying truth that nobody lives forever, so it is best to make the most of it while you are still here. Love selflessly, and live vicariously through the good parts and lessons learned with that person.