The amount of difficulty encountered in a given situation directly affects the amount of strength, both physical and mental, a person gains. What is easy for one can be terribly challenging for another. Personally, learning to let go of people when they're no longer in my life is the hardest thing I've ever done. Through the situations I experienced, the help I received when I discovered how to let go of someone and learning how to deal with this situation, I believe I have become a better person. Most children experience life with at least one parent. If they're lucky, they have both. It seems that in our modern society divorce has become a more viable option and families have been split up. I found myself in the midst of these circumstances when I was only seven years old. When my parents decided to divorce, I stayed with my mother. My father moved to Norwalk, Iowa, about an hour and forty-five minutes from me. I visited him very rarely and came to believe that he wanted nothing to do with me. Although I now know this isn't true, as a child I couldn't fully understand that my father couldn't control how often he saw me due to his work schedule. While living with my mother, I was deprived of the attention a seven-year-old needs. He made questionable life choices that left us with an estranged relationship. We lived with my grandparents at the time, so I became friends with my grandmother. She quickly became the mother figure in my life. When we left my grandparents' house, I still spent every weekend with her. Then, when I was twelve, something tragic and unexpected happened. My grandmother had a brain aneurysm and died. I didn't have time to say goodbye and we had n...... middle of paper ...... no person with whom I could learn to let go of my grandmother, not from my memory but from my mentality. I've realized that it's unhealthy for me to constantly wallow in self-pity. I've learned to appreciate the time I spent with her and let go of the fact that she won't be coming back. Even though I still remember it, I also remember what's best for me. It might be the hardest thing I've ever done, but I was finally able to let it go. The amount of strength I get is completely different than another person. The situations I have found myself in throughout my life have shaped me into the person I am today. Even though it took me years to get over the fact that my grandmother was no longer with me, I believe I learned more about myself during that time. It took a lot of time and effort, but I know it was worth it. I feel like I finally have that sparkle back in my eye.