Going through a loss at a young age is very tough, and losing my mother at the age of 8 made my life seem like it would never be the same again. No smiles, just misery and missing my best friend, curing cancers existence for ions. However, losing my mother has helped me on many occasions. When my mom left us, I was only 8 years old. However, that left a ton of pressure on me, being Michelle’s youngest child, her only daughter—and I will never take that for granted.

5. I try and not sweat the small stuff.

When there would be girls crying over the fact their parents only bought them an iPhone 6S+, I would be perfectly content with the fact I only have received my smartphone a little under a year ago. I shrug off “major” issues, like if a man won’t text me back or if I didn’t have a date to prom, because I know I can save my energy for other important subjects.

4. I picked up where my mother left off; loving her family.

With my mother being my Nana's daughter, I know how devastating it was for her to lose her. I still to this day, at the age of 19, while working 75 hour work weeks and course overloading for school, still make time for my Nana. I go there at least once a week, and call usually every other day to make sure she is OK. I cook for her and I watch "Ellen" and Channel 4 News with her. I love to see her smile and to make her proud.

3. I have learned to cope.

I no longer bottle up my emotions. I cry when I am upset, and I have passion when I am most excited. Going through what I did at such a young age, I know until any of my family leaves the earth I will be able to prevail. I won’t lie, I have thought of throwing in the towel, however I break though the wall and get stuff done.

2. She has motivated my success.

Although she was very sick, she was a determined woman. While battling cancer of the brain and MS, she still attempted to work full-time; she still attended my dance recitals, cheered and worked the concession stands at my brother’s baseball games. She was an active member of my elementary school’s PTO. She taught me, even with my own disability, to work hard and be my own person throughout my hardships. Each surgery I have, I get stronger. One surgery took me two months recovery, the next just three weeks, and the last only a mere week. I stayed on track with school, and kept going until there was no more room for complaints.

1. Her loss has never defined me.

I was depressed for a very long time, and I will be the first to admit I thought nothing would change the thoughts in my head. But I have always wanted to make her proud. Michelle is my cheerleader and my angel. I know if she were here next to me, she would be proud of where I’ve made my mark in this world, by staying true to myself—even when people disagree.