Death of a Loved One as a Life-changing Moment

Experiencing the Death of a Loved One

If I were to think of an event that changed me as an individual, it would be the death of a loved one. Around 2009, my grandmother was suffering from brain cancer which had recurred after years of fighting lung cancer. I was just a happy nine-year-old kid during that time. I had a great home, family, and not a care in the world until my mother told me the bad news about my grandmother’s health. After hearing the news that my grandmother was dying from brain cancer, I felt an overwhelming sadness taking over and all I wanted to do was cry my eyes out.

After a few months, the cancer had gotten worse and my grandmother began to lose her ability to stand, walk, or do anything. On July 27, 2009, she lost her battle to cancer. I clearly remember that on this day, my mother woke me and my brother up early to tell us that my grandmother was about to take her last breath. Seeing her on her death bed made me feel all sorts of emotions like shock, sadness, even powerlessness because I could not do anything to help her. Multiple members of my family came over to say their goodbyes to my grandmother, but I was not ready to say goodbye to her yet. When I went to hold her hand for the last time, it felt so cold and lifeless that my heart got broken into a million pieces.

The Loss of My Loved Grandmother

After many hours of watching her on her deathbed, my grandmother passed away peacefully. Then everyone in the room including myself started crying, seeing how the woman that cares for so many members of our family has just died right in front of us. The local funeral home then had to take my grandmother’s body in order for it to be cremated. Seeing my grandmother’s body being taken away made me feel the saddest that I have ever felt in my entire life. My life never felt the same after that.

The death of my grandmother was a life experience that has forever changed my life. Losing my grandmother and experiencing this event changed my whole perspective of life. Losing a loved one for the first time felt like having my heart being ripped out of my chest while it was still beating. In spite of this painful experience happening to me when I was only nine years and the emotions that came with it I still remember her death to this day very clearly. I will never forget the sadness of that day.

These types of emotions can be frightening and overwhelming; however, I have learned how to cope with this feelings and realized that everything doesn’t last forever including my love ones. Even though my grandmother is gone, I can feel her sometimes watching over me and my family from heaven. Having a loving family by my side to support me no matter what situation may be wonderful. Remembering all of the good times with my grandmother will forever put a smile on my face.