The Most Important People In My Life

On May 11th 2013, my grandma passed away due to pancreatic cancer. A little later that year on September 25th, my mom received a call from my aunt in Guam that my dad had passed away in his sleep. Then on May 14th 2014, my grandpa passed from complications of an allergic reaction to a medication. So within a year, I was left to deal with three immediate family deaths, one right after another. Losing such important figures in one’s life could leave someone depressed and unmotivated to move on with their own life and to rise above those challenges is difficult, yet possible. During this time of hardship, I grew discouraged and saddened, but over time I became motivated to set aside these struggles and make a change.

After several weeks of my Grandmother passing, I came to realize she wasn’t coming back. The feeling of shock had left and now I felt intense amount of emotional suffering. The continuous feeling of pain and unanswered questions lingered about in my mind. I began to wonder how it could have happened and what people could have done differently. At this time, my whole family was grieving over the loss as well.

Losing someone who is close to you, usually happens to everyone. The difference between people when this situation occurs is how you live after it has happen. My six word memoir was “looking up and hoping you’re there”. My aunt unexpectedly passed away last year in April. No one really understood and to be honest, I still don’t understand why this would happen. I got called up to the office, and my mom picked up my brother and I. She was taking us to the hospital to see her. I didn’t know what state she was in. Then we were brought to the Critical care unit, my heart sunk because I knew this wasn’t good. I prayed and prayed to God that it this wasn't true. By the time we got there, she was considered brain dead. A little background with my

She is strong, a caregiver, provider, and the best part she has a great sense of humor. Who may I be talking about? That would be my mom, Krista Dykstra. My mom is one of the most important people in my life. She is the one who is there through the ups and downs or whenever help is needed. My mom is a strong believer in family time, she is a passionate person about trying and learning new thing and she is overall very smart and cares about her education. Life wouldn’t be the same without her.

Most people will experience something horrible in their lives. As a young child, I was ignorant to the idea that bad things could happen in my life. One cold day in November, my Mom said that she was feeling a little sick and had some pain in her neck. After some tests, the doctors came up with a diagnosis, it was devastating. Even after the evidence from X-Rays and MRI scans, my family was trying to find any reason to deny the truth. My Mom, Gricelda Martinez Ozuna, the strongest and most determined person I knew was fading away and I knew my time with her was shortening every passing moment.

In the autumn of 2013 my beloved grandmother suffered from many medical complications. After discovering esophageal cancer, surgery to remove it caused a tear in her esophagus, which led to numerous health hazards. As a result, the cancer spread throughout my grandmother’s bloodstream and it was impossible to maintain her health. By October of the same year, she fought to maintain her optimistic personality that I admired so dearly as a child. There was nothing more the doctor’s could do and while she wasn’t able to speak clearly, she understood the circumstances completely. As my mother asked her if she was ready to rest she pointed up to the heavens with her eyes closed. As we said our goodbyes she was given morphine until she was no longer with us. To force my grandmother to suffer and endlessly wait for healing would have been selfish of us. It is hard for those of us who are healthy to consider death as a logical option in crucial situations. While it is a difficult concept to grasp, in certain circumstances it is the better

Watching my grandmother lay in the hospital and dieing was one of the most painful feelings I have ever felt in my life. I felt many different emotions when she passed away. I felt sad, angry, shocked, and many more, but all those feelings made me stronger as person mentally. I knew that one day everyone would die and no one could control that. Her death affected me in both a positive and negative way. My dad regrets many things that he did to his mom, so I know now that one day my parents will die and I should respect them and let them know I love them every day. The death of my grandma also made a negative effect on my life. Ever since she passed away my family been breaking

She had passed on Sunday June 30th and the funeral home wasn’t able to receive the body until the end of the week because they had to wait on the medical examiner to release her body thus ruling out a homicide. It felt like my insides was being twisted as I waited to find out the results of the autopsy to find out the cause of death. It came to light that she had passed due to a blood clot that travelled to her heart causing to go into cardiac arrest. The passing of my aunt hurt me deeply because I had just seen her a couple of days ago with my mother and she had taken a picture of her, which had turned out to be the last picture of my aunt alive. Every time I wish I could go see my aunt I just look at the picture; however, it was like playing the devil’s advocate because I was also in the last picture of

The death of her resulted in the death of my childhood. It was a traumatizing event and it opened my eyes to realize that death is a sobering experience. I realized that the loss of my grandmother was finally conceivable and how detached I was from my own mother. Thus, I could finally understand my mother. I understood how long she remained sane in front of me and my brother, and I understood the hardships of adults trying to hide their pain for the sake of their loved ones. Being a witness of death -- an innocent death -- has altered my perspective on reality. In many ways, her death has raised awareness onto the emotional aspects of people I encounter. Perhaps my greatest realization is finding glimpses of her when I see my family. Without that little girl, I could never understand the value of a human life. And the loss of her youthful life, has inadvertently given me a sense of maturity and wisdom. Adults – like my mom -- lose so much in life and I could finally comprehend the endless hardships we

As I got my brother, I know something was up because we never had family meetings. Also, my mom looked dreadful. This was also the first time I had ever felt scared. When we all were at the table our mom said, “ Kids, you know Maggie was old right?” We both nodded, so she could continue, now I know something was really inadequate, “ When I got to the vet today our veterinarian said that even if she gave Maggie the shot that she would just get worse but very slowly. So, I did what I had to do for Maggie. Kids, I had to put her down. She died in my arms.” I was initially crying because I loved Maggie. Mom said she had Maggie's ashes. But I could barely here because I was crying so hard. We also still have the ashes on the mantel. At the time a prayed a lot for god to bring her back to our family. I predicted at the time I was still in shock. I remember her, and I still miss her sometimes. But I know that she did not suffer that much. I also know that she is a better

Just before the my first day of middle school, my Aunt was admitted into the hospital. She had a gruesome battle with colon cancer for the past 18 months. She had been to the hospital many times before, had large amounts of her intestines removed, and lived to tell the tale. Sadly, this was not one of those times. This was my mother’s sister, and she drove to the Akron hospital to visit her. She came home that evening and sat me down, and I knew from the grave look on her face that something was wrong. “Justin, Aunt Patti isn’t coming home.” I cried and reasoned and asked why the doctors couldn’t do anything. My mother could not give the answers I so desired. I cried myself to sleep. The last seven days of my aunt’s life were spent in hospice. She was on an large amount of painkillers so she couldn't feel any more pain. Her eyes were closed and couldn’t talk, she was in an almost comatose state. I remember walking into her room for the first time. I’d never seen more love in one place. Her husband sat and slept in a chair beside her bed. We all were talking to her and joking and laughing about the good times had. The doctor said she couldn’t hear us, but that didn’t stop us. Any time she exhaled or let out a subtle grunt or moan, that was our sign that she was listening, trying to

Although I was young and unprepared death hit me where it hurt. I was unexperienced, I had no knowledge How? Why? I needed a reason but I never got one. The post-mortem came back unidentified. Her heart just stopped beating but for me that reason was invalid. She was healthy. What happened for her heart to stop? Why her? So many questions that were never truly answered. Anger was bottled up inside. I wanted answers; I wanted to blame someone for the pain I was suffering. I needed a reason to move on. Stay strong I told myself thinking the pain would go away soon but I didn’t.

My first loss was my great grandmother Lena. This lady never allowed me to go lacking with anything. She could not cook during this time of my life due to a stroke. However, if I said that I was hungry grandmother would have my grandfather to prepare a full meal for me even though it was late night. Did I say the meal was cooked after 12 midnight? As time passed my mother, who was her granddaughter, began saying that grandma was not doing well and that she had been diagnosed with cancer. I couldn’t quite figure out the extent or depth of the disease but one new that it was not good. Watching tears flow from my mom over the illness and suffering. Finally, one day mom called and tells my father that grandmother is requesting to see me at the hospital and for him to bring me. As I prepared to go, mom calls back and state that there is no need to come. But somewhere down on the inside of me; I still wanted to go and see my

Everyday, from when my grandmother started to progressively become worse, I prayed for her immediate recovery. I would make her pictures, cards, and bracelets hoping these signs of love would lead her back to her old self. I made the bracelets purple to signify Alzheimer's and gave each one to all my aunts and uncles. All I wanted before she died was to see her unaffected by Alzheimer's. I felt suffocated and did not have the fortitude to fight this feeling. Right, when I arrived home I ran to my mom and started sobbing. She began to cry as well, with devastation in her eyes knowing she was unable to see her own mother again. My father put on a strong guise and comforted us. Eventually, we realized we would need to plan the funeral and say goodbye one last time. Walking up to her, while holding the bracelet in my hand all I could think was how I wish I would've given her the bracelet while she was alive. Looking at my deceased grandmother is an image I will never forget. Ultimately the contrast between starting the day enjoying myself with my friends and family, and ending the day with this sad realization is greater than any other. The loss of my grandmother took a toll on my whole family, but the memories of her would

Do you know the saying “My life flashed in front of my eyes?” Not my life flashing, but my grandma’s life flashed before my eyes. She looked very pretty as she laid there peacefully. She wore her best dress and held the cross that my dad had made for her. All the horror that was in her face 4 days ago was gone, and peace and beauty overcame her body. I saw her on Tuesday, she died on Wednesday, and the funeral was Saturday. When I saw her on Tuesday, she couldn’t talk, and her eyes were glazed over, but the spirit was still in her heart. I could see it, the way she laid, surrounded by pillows and machines, made me feel like she was fighting to not pass in front of her family but to wait until we left. My dad