This 29th of April will mark four years since my brother passed away. This is a very difficult time for me. But since I’ve been through this before there are some things that I do to not make me feel so down in the dumps on the day. 

I think that this is something still worth being celebrated. You’re not celebrating that the person is no longer with us, we’re celebrating the fact that they lived. They once had a life.

These people’s memories don’t go with them. The person we lost gets to live through us now. 

When someone passes away just their body goes but their soul and their person can continue to live on through their loved ones. 

For his one and two year anniversary we had just gone out to eat at places he liked. But last year I did things a little differently. 

I had gone to school, even though I hate going to school on this day so I’m not at home dealing with my emotions. I left school early and went to get something my brother liked. I got the donut he liked and I one I did. I ate both at the park. He always liked nature and being with plants and such so I was at the park by myself just listening to music and walking around. Taking in the day and what happened four years ago. 

My friend at the time had invited me to go to the beach with her to relax myself. It was a really nice day, the weather was nice and no one was really at the beach. 

I don’t think that these days need to be filled with crying the whole time or just being stuck at home. I think that we should do the things that our loved ones once enjoyed. Live for them, enjoy life for them. 

There are so many things you can do for them on the day like watching their favorite movie, going to eat at their favorite restaurant and so on. You also have to remember to do what’s best for you. 

Every year you’re going to feel different. You can’t expect to feel the same as you did the year prior. 

You’re never going to feel okay on the day you’re always going to have the moments where it feels like your world is falling apart but doing these things can really help. I never wanted to celebrate this because I thought it was wrong. Why would I want to remember the fact that my brother died. But I see it in a new light. I’m celebrating that he was here before. 

Senior Lily Alavarez said, “We have a mural of pictures for our loved ones who have passed. We celebrate them everyday.”