I had the sheer luck of being born to a loving family and wonderful childhood, growing up with nothing but happiness and love. I was a reserved person and nothing else in the world meant more to me than my family—my mom, dad, little brother, and younger sister. Unfortunately, just as our lives were hitting a peak high in the year 2017 with my sister about to start life at her dream college (Austin College, TX), tragedy struck our home and I was told at my work that my sister, Evelyn, had died in her sleep with no medical explanation. There aren't any words in any language to describe how that moment felt for me. My whole life exploded in an instant. She was not just my sister but my closest friend. We thought we would live together in the future, raise our kids together. No matter what changed in our lives, we knew we'd stay by each other's side as much as we could. Losing her shattered me and I wanted to give up on everything. I almost dropped out of school. Somehow, in that hazy time, I managed to hold on. I took my schooling a little slower until I was back on my feet and I joined support groups for the bereaved. It's been a long road. Three years feels like only one day has passed, yet also like 20 years, and in this time I have learned more about life and love than I ever imagined I could. At the time my sister died, I could not have imagined finding happiness of any kind in my future, and especially not happiness just as great as the kind I had before her loss—different, but just as great. The only thing that got me through my pain and beyond was love, love for my family, friends, and passions. I still grieve, I still have bad days, I still have moments when I want to give up but I never let go of love. The love I have given and received is what has saved me. I want to reflect this love for others now, my whole life. I want to keep advocating for the bereaved, for mental health, and for communicating with love and kindness. I started college before my sister died for an Arts degree and that is still my goal. Art is therapy and a method of healing, as well as a communicator to others beyond the bounds of verbal language. It's a tool I intend to use to help others wherever I can and to heal myself along the way. I also want to spend my future spreading awareness of SUDC, "Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood", which is not as uncommon a tragedy as most people might think. Even in the medical community, there is a lack of awareness around this issue. We took my sister to a doctor for heart-related symptoms 2 months before her death and were dismissed without an in-depth evaluation because she was otherwise healthy and young. If there was more awareness around SUDC or SCD, there might have been a chance to help my sister. I do not blame anyone for this lack of awareness or the lost chance to help my sister, but I do want to create change. If even one life could be saved, that is worth everything to me. I appreciate having an essay opportunity like this because sharing my story helps me heal, as I know it does for many others, and having challenges in life can, unfortunately, cost much for many people. Thank you for providing this opportunity.