I’ll never forget the day I knew my life would never be the same. It was a Saturday, the move in weekend of my sophomore year of college. It was a beautiful, sunny day. I was with my friends getting ready to go out when I got a phone call. I knew by the sound of my mother's voice, when she told me she was coming down to school to get me, that something terrible had happened. As she opened my door I saw by the look on her face that this next sentence would be the hardest thing she ever had to say. “Your Daddy died last night," and just like that I had collapsed to the floor and I knew my world would forever be changed. The next thing she told me was that I was coming back to school because that’s what he would want and she knew I could do it. This last year has shaped me into an entirely new person and I have learned a lot from this tragedy. While losing my father has been the most difficult thing I have ever gone through, I have also learned some valuable lessons.

I am stronger than I thought I was

I have always thought of myself as overly sensitive and emotional and never really thought I would be able to get through something as traumatic as this. I’m the type of girl who cries over boys and and thinks the world is ending when my hair looks bad, but after getting through this last semester I see now that I can deal with a lot more than I ever thought possible.

Always forgive

Nothing in life is worth holding a grudge over. Life is precious and hate takes up too much mental and emotional energy. There are worse things to get upset over than the fact that someone forgot my birthday or my friend kissing the guy I liked. These kinds of things are trivial in the long run and are not worth the negative energy.

I have an amazing support system

The week of my father’s death I was flooded with so much love and support from my friends and family. My sorority sisters and friends have shown me so much sympathy and love and have helped me get through this difficult time. I will never forget this undying support I have received and am so thankful to have such an incredible support system here at school and at home.

Have empathy

I have come to learn that everyone is battling their own demons that no one may know about, so I try to always think before passing judgement on someone. There is a reason people act the way they do and it is not always apparent that someone is struggling. No one’s life is perfect and everyone has something they are dealing with whether everyone knows about it or not.

These last few months have been hard, but I know they have helped shape me into the woman I am becoming. I have grown up a lot this year and I still have a lot to learn about life. Losing a loved one is one of the hardest things anyone has to deal with and it is important to grow and learn from all of life's obstacles.