Challenges, failure, grief, loss - are all a significant part of our lives. No one can say that they have never had to go through any of these. It is these which mould our character and lend us strength to face and overcome all curve balls which LIFE throws at us. When we lose someone very close to us, we are faced with a tragedy, a pain so deep that we have no idea how to live through with it. But, time heals everything and sooner or later, we manage to pick ourselves up and move on with their memories forever in our hearts.
I had to face such a life altering loss as a teenager. I am the elder of two sons in my family. Many might deny it, but I feel parents are usually closer to one child than the other. Same was the case with us. My brother is my mom's sweetheart and I was closer to my dad than anyone else. We are even named after our parents - me after my dad and my brother after my mom. My father was my superhero and I used to share all my secrets with him. He was a mentor, a guide and above all, a true friend.
The tragedy struck when I was in the 11th standard - my father passed away in an accident. I was shattered and heart-broken. Nothing anyone did or said could console me. I refused to eat or speak to anyone. Life, as I knew it, had ended.
This took a toll on my studies as well. Till then, I had been a bright student and a position holder through my entire high school life. But, I somehow managed to get only the pass marks in my class 11 exams (I still believe it was due to my teachers' sympathy). Even then I did not care. It was well into the next year that my mother made me realize I had to buckle up if I wanted to fulfill my father's dream of becoming an engineer. I straightened and told myself that I would indeed do what my father believed I could do.
I passed my board examinations with flying colours, got in to an engineering college, got the degree, worked for 3 years and currently pursuing an MBA degree - all in the belief that had my father been alive, he would have been proud.
Never let the loss of someone special put you down. Grieve. But move ahead when it's time. Move ahead with their memories deep in your heart.