Hi, my name is Erika and I am new to this community. Yesterday, February 15, 2021 marks one year of my cousin's death. In my 20 years of my life, I never knew how death could impact you in so many ways. Nobody is prepared for death and it comes when you at least expected it. Nobody wants to think of death or learn about it but after his death, it marked me and I needed to know how to cope with the loss of someone so close to me. I remember those days when we were little, we used to go on walks and he would always be with my siblings and I in our adventures. Some days were hard because emotionally and physically I felt drained and felt helpless. Other days, I knew he was looking down at me and pushing me to not get up and be in a good place. Even though he couldn't communicate with us or hear us, you could just see how happy he was and you knew when he was mad or sad. Today, I decided to speak out and let everything out to stop myself from being in misery and move on and know that he is in a better place. I know I am not the first and last one to lost someone close to them.