It was difficult witnessing the battle my grandfather, Jace, fought against cancer, but not as difficult as overcoming the grief that came with his passing. Throughout my childhood, he was the one that supported me in reaching my goals more than anyone else. My grandfather’s death initially drowned me in hopelessness. However, I eventually began to use the confidence that he had in me as my motivation to try even harder to succeed and to make him proud.

I loved my grandfather more so than my own parents because they were always at work, so when he passed away I was devastated. I was in middle school at the time and I didn’t think that I would be able to make it through high school on my own. Upon entering high school, I became depressed and often found myself crying alone at night rather than studying and completing my assignments. I had lost all faith in myself. Because I spent my time dwelling on the loss, I was never able to fulfill any of my plans. I had always been determined to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical field, but my grandfather’s passing caused me to feel like it would never be possible.

It was difficult to overcome the depression that came with my grandfather’s passing, but I was able to do so because I was confident. I was determined to get myself out of the grief that disrupted my life. When I entered high school, I applied the same concept of determination and perseverance to improve academically. I needed to do well in high school in order to get into a college that would allow me to pursue my career in the pharmaceutical field. Since I have been in high school, I have consistently maintained high grades and devoted all of my effort towards my goal. The depression that I went through after my grandfather’s death has taught me how to deal with tragedy and grieve while still taking care of yourself keeping my priorities straight.