My brother and young cousin died on the same day, just weeks ago.

They were the last of my extended family.

My brother died with cardiovascular disease and kidney disease.

My young cousin had cancer.

My only comfort is they went home together...

…which isn’t much comfort at all as I just began the grieving process.

Losing your entire family and friends to diabetes, heart, kidney and cancer diseases is hard and emotionally difficult.

Losing a brother alone is a profound and deeply emotional experience. Coping with such a loss can be overwhelming, but there are specific aspects and considerations that might be relevant in dealing with the loss of a sibling.

Healing does not happen overnight.

I know that it’s important to be patient with myself and allow the grieving process to unfold at its own pace. There is no right or wrong timeline for grief, as with my mother it still goes on after 18 years.

Coping with change and coping with the loss of family members is a deeply personal and challenging experience, and everyone grieves in their own way.

I am trying to navigate through this painful process, as it is essential to give myself leave to feel and express my emotions.

Grieving is a natural and necessary part of healing.

Sharing my feelings with others who have experienced similar losses and hoping for comforting moments.

I know I should not hesitate to learn from my network for emotional support.

But writing is the best way I can express myself and it feels therapeutic. It is helping me process and make sense of my feelings.

I will get to a point where I can write something more positive and inspiring.

I know that celebrating their Life might be a better way out instead of focusing solely on the loss.

But, that’s not where I am now.

I know that in allowing myself to be where I am in the grieving process, I will continue to move forward in my journey.

I will start celebrating the positive aspects of my loved one’s lives – remembering the good times and the love we shared…

…when I’m ready.

I know it will come because those memories will draw me closer to them, while the feeling of loss draw me further away.

I prefer holding tight to my loved ones, here and home.

I will feel that closeness again.

Grief is a unique journey for each individual, and there is no right or wrong way to go through it.

I am here.