Growing up, I was surrounded by the best support staff in the world, my parents. 

My father would do everything for my family from grocery shopping to making dinner almost every night. He would always drive me to school when I was in grade school and high school. He would always push me to be the best version of myself if I was at school or work. One of the things that he taught me was to take my time. I was the type of kid who would always rush to get things done, but my father taught me how to take care of things properly. 

My mother taught me how to take pride in how I look when I am around other people. From picking out outfits to making sure that I looked presentable, it has always been something that she cared about. My mother always pushed me to be kind to others because helping others is one of the best things that a human being can do in this world. 

On Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, I awoke to something that would change my world forever. My father, who was in the hospital for a few days dealing with pneumonia, passed away. Hearing that news from my mother and both of my aunts was something that I had a hard time understanding and processing. My father passed away from a heart attack in the hospital. The last thing that I remember was seeing him that past Saturday, and him giving me a thumbs-up as I was leaving. The ironic part of it was the last thing that my father texted me was the green check mark, to show that he was alright.  

I have had such important people in my life pass away, from my uncle to my grandfather, but this one was very difficult to deal with. My father was my best friend, we did everything together, from playing golf to going to a variety of sporting events. I will always remember the memories of having him by my side. 

From that very moment, I was going to have to deal with grief, in a way that I had never experienced in my life before. But the truth is that dealing with grief is something that will make you stronger as a person. This type of grief has made me even closer to my mother and sister. I had a great relationship with both of them before my father passed, but when he did, it only made our family stronger, stronger than we have ever been before. 

As I saw the sacrifices they made to be able to send me to Rowan University, I found it gratifying to have the best support system in the world. But as a busy college student, and like many of you, I sometimes took my parents for granted. Remembering to chat with them often is something that many of us forget to do. Cherishing the relationship that you have with your parents while they’re here is something that people should be practicing in their lives more often. 

For people who still have a mother and father in their lives, I think it is very important to thrive in the moments that you have with them and be grateful for all that they have done for you. 

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