Summer 2024, my Aunt Lauren passed away after a 10-year fight with cancer. I’ve never experienced loss on this level before, my aunt was a pillar of my life; I have so many fantastic memories with her. When she was diagnosed, I was young, around 10 years old. I did not quite understand the severity of what this meant. My aunt’s optimism kept me feeling entirely positive regardless.

Fast-forward 10 years, and her condition had only worsened. Optimism turned to worry, and things were looking bleak for her health. Sadly, last August, she passed away, and every emotion was felt. It was so hard seeing my cousins and my uncle go through this loss. I didn’t know how to react. I was sad, of course, but I just felt so empty.

When experiencing loss, it’s known that there is no correct way to deal with it. But in my personal experience, I wish there was. I’m sure this is a shared sentiment, but I remember wishing that I knew how to process things. I just felt confused. It’s so hard having someone in your life for that long just disappear, but it’s also a dilemma in the sense that we didn’t want her to suffer anymore than she did.

My aunt was a beautiful soul, someone who you could always count on. Her being gone hurts my heart, but I’m glad she is free of her condition and no longer suffering. I don’t want to remember her as a victim of a disease. I want to remember her for the person she was, an incredibly kind and gifted person.