Dear SuperSib,

The things I have experienced through my brother’s death have bettered me in more ways than imaginable. It has opened my eyes to the world around me. This speed bump, this curve ball if you will, has got me realizing that life is way too short to allow this or any tragedy to destroy me.

My brother was only sixteen when he was diagnosed. Six months later, after just turning seventeen, he passed away. Seventeen! That is too young to die. He wasn’t even an adult yet. It wasn’t fair, but over time I have come to accept it.

I’ve learned to talk about my brother’s death every once in a while, and it does help. It took me over two and a half years after my brother’s death from Lymphoma to finally open up about it, and I am glad I did. It is important to be honest with yourself and eventually you’ll know when the time is right to talk about your experience. Choosing to keep your feelings in will only cause you to keep misery alive.

Looking back, I know that I was not prepared for this experience and that I handled it poorly at times. But I also have chosen to honor my brother’s life by trying to understand things that he never was given the time or opportunity to understand or experience. My goal is to keep healing, and I hope you do the same.

My biggest hope is that I have been some help you, other SuperSibs who have suffered a similar loss as mine. I hope that my sincerity and support will be felt by you and give you the strength and hope to push forward.

--Derek N.