About two and a half years ago, I tragically lost my hero, my father. A very vivid memory for me, I was awakened to red and blue lights outside my window and the sound of hysteric crying. In that moment, I shifted my blinds over to get a glimpse of what was happening. I see my grandmother and grandfather sitting down crying. I see my mother talking to police. Confused, I went downstairs to ask my mom what happened. That's when I heard the words that changed my life forever, "Your papa's not here anymore," in Armenian. I then found out that my father died in a single-car accident. I had never felt so distraught and helpless in my entire life. In my head, the phrase that kept repeating was, "I just lost my everything." The worst part about it all was that day was my father's 46th birthday. My father died the same day he was born, December 4th. I began to ask God, why? Why take my father away from me and my family? How were we possibly going to continue life without him? I began to question life and existence itself. What was the point of anything anymore? At the same time, relatives were rushing to my house, the news spread like wildfire. Everyone giving their condolences and the same speech of, "You have to be strong for your mom." Then, I was on FaceTime with my mom's dad, my grandfather all the way in Armenia, who gave me advice, finally using useful words without pity. He stoically told me to continue getting good grades, help my mom with my little siblings more than before, and to achieve al my goals and aspirations for my father. He gave those huge responsibilities to me in the most calm way that opened my eyes on what I would do next. At first, it was difficult for my mom to adjust to her new life. She had to learn how to fill the role of a father, as well. My mom is a talented piano teacher. Things started to get harder financially, so she had to take more students and teach more classes a day to help out. This began to show me how strong, brave, and talented my mom truly is. All the ups and downs she faced were all for us, her kids. Her strength only pushed me so much further into building my own work ethic. I began to study more, work harder, and show more effort in my classes. While I already had straight A's, I had so much more to work harder for. I'd like to say I do it all for her, to make her proud. Not just for her though, for my dad as well. For my mom on earth, and for my dad from up above. Not only did I change academically, but also personally. I changed from a moody, negative teenager to a person who wants to become better every day. I have changed so drastically as a person that I get embarrassed every time I think of myself from two years ago. Birthdays, holidays, and milestones without my father never get easier. I think about him and miss him every single day. I see him in everything. I could continue to sit and mope wondering how much better life would've been if he were still here. Instead, me and my family that I was blessed with continue to work hard and reach heights to continue the beautiful legacy my father left behind. In his words, everything happens for a reason.