My Story

[Henry]

Hello everyone,

My name is Henry. I am 17 years old. I was orphaned a little over a year ago. My mother died when I was 5. My father when I was 16. It shattered my hope when he died. I was broken. I used to scream at myself every morning for months just to get out of bed. I never thought I'd see the day when I could smile again. I never thought I'd see the day when I wanted to smile again.

I watched my dad go from being a pillar of strength to a ill, weary old man. He was only 43. It was cancer. I had been there all the way. He was ill for about 4 months before he saw a doctor. And it was another 2 before he was diagnosed with cancer. He struggled for 8 months before he died. And I struggled with him.

The reason I'm writing on this site, almost two years since it all began, is because I want to help people out there who have been through this. I know how vulnerable being an orphan can make you feel. Or death of any sort. I know how much pain you go through. And I know how it feels to wake up, every morning and wish you hadn't.

Maybe I can help someone. Maybe someone can help me. But one of the most valuable things I had in the months after my dad's death were my friends. They kept me going, they gave me strength, and they were always there. I hope I can be there for someone who needs a shoulder too.

Henry

[Shell]

I'm so sorry for your losses. I can't say I totally know how you feel, but I lost my mom about 4 months ago to a sudden brain aneurysm. I can't imagine how hard it must have been for you to watch your father struggle. I'm 16 and some days I do just feel like dying but I try to stay postitive and look for the bright side of life.