The day was August 22, 2015. It was just a few weeks short of my tenth birthday. My mind was on birthday cakes, playing with my softball team, and starting fourth grade. I never thought I would get news that would shatter the rest of my life. My twin brother, Ryan, had been in a very serious ATV accident. In the hospital, Ryan fought so hard for his life with everything he had left, but it just wasn't enough. Losing my brother at such a young age put me in a mental position that I had never experienced before. I began really struggling in school, particularly in math class. One day, my teacher pulled me aside and asked why I had been having so much difficulty in his class. I recall completely breaking down to him about how much I just missed my brother. I couldn’t focus on anything but the grief that I felt. My mind had been only on Ryan. I wasn’t able to comprehend that at just nine years old I had permanently lost my best friend. My math teacher offered me after-school tutoring, and sometimes we would talk about Ryan. We talked while I did my work every day and I told him all of my best memories with my brother. I discovered how comforting it was to talk to someone about my feelings. I know now that this event and the way my teacher handled it have taught me how to have love in my heart for everyone, especially when they are having trouble loving themselves. I also know that losing my brother taught me to be a better daughter and friend. It has taught me to never take for granted time spent with anyone and helped me realize the importance of small moments. I have adapted to being the only child in my house now. My relationship with my parents is good and I find myself spending most of my time with them because I know how much they need me. Even still after eight years of losing their beautiful blue-eyed boy, they still struggle. We all do. The unforeseeable, unforgettable challenges that I have faced have made me a better, stronger, more resilient woman. I see good in the setbacks I face. I learn and grow from them, which I would not have been able to do successfully if not for those hardships. The loss of my brother didn’t just create a chasm in the hearts of those who knew and loved him, but it continues to make challenges for me to overcome every single day. I live my days for the boy who will forever be my everything, my other half. I know that he would be so proud of my accomplishments and everything I have made of myself. I know that through every challenge that I continue to face, my twin brother will be right next to me, seeing his sister live her life for him as well.

The day was August 22, 2015. It was just a few weeks short of my tenth birthday. My mind was on birthday cakes, playing with my softball team, and starting fourth grade. I never thought I would get news that would shatter the rest of my life. My twin brother, Ryan, had been in a very serious ATV accident. In the hospital, Ryan fought so hard for his life with everything he had left, but it just wasn't enough. Losing my brother at such a young age put me in a mental position that I had never experienced before. I began really struggling in school, particularly in math class. One day, my teacher pulled me aside and asked why I had been having so much difficulty in his class. I recall completely breaking down to him about how much I just missed my brother. I couldn’t focus on anything but the grief that I felt. My mind had been only on Ryan. I wasn’t able to comprehend that at just nine years old I had permanently lost my best friend. My math teacher offered me after-school tutoring, and sometimes we would talk about Ryan. We talked while I did my work every day and I told him all of my best memories with my brother. I discovered how comforting it was to talk to someone about my feelings. I know now that this event and the way my teacher handled it have taught me how to have love in my heart for everyone, especially when they are having trouble loving themselves. I also know that losing my brother taught me to be a better daughter and friend. It has taught me to never take for granted time spent with anyone and helped me realize the importance of small moments. I have adapted to being the only child in my house now. My relationship with my parents is good and I find myself spending most of my time with them because I know how much they need me. Even still after eight years of losing their beautiful blue-eyed boy, they still struggle. We all do. The unforeseeable, unforgettable challenges that I have faced have made me a better, stronger, more resilient woman. I see good in the setbacks I face. I learn and grow from them, which I would not have been able to do successfully if not for those hardships. The loss of my brother didn’t just create a chasm in the hearts of those who knew and loved him, but it continues to make challenges for me to overcome every single day. I live my days for the boy who will forever be my everything, my other half. I know that he would be so proud of my accomplishments and everything I have made of myself. I know that through every challenge that I continue to face, my twin brother will be right next to me, seeing his sister live her life for him as well.