My Grandma (also my very dear friend and mentor) died this week. She was one of my favorite people. Every time we spoke, we talked for hours. I can't even begin to list all the things I've learned from her.

As soon as I found out, I wanted to call her to ask her if she was OK. Weird how our habits don't get the message right away. I took me almost a year to stop doing that with my dad, to stop wanting to call him to tell him about our family camping trips or adventures. I wonder if it'll take a year for me to stop picking up the phone to call Grandma.

Death sucks, but I keep focusing on the bright side. Death is just a part of life. We all do it eventually. Better to know somebody for a little while than never to have known them at all. Don't focus on losing them; focus on everything you gained by having them in your life. Honor them by living the best life you can, not wasting your life by wallowing in grief. That's what they would want you to do; that's what I would want everyone else to do when I die. Live life to the fullest and help others do the same.