By Becca Bowie, whose dad died on her 16th birthday
1. No matter what stage of life you are in, it still hurts
It was my 16th birthday when my dad passed. Losing my dad at such a young age was the absolute hardest thing for me to go through. Most people’s parents don’t pass when they are a teenager, so it was very difficult.
2. I look and act like him
Looking back at pictures of my dad, I’m realizing that I looked just like him. We have the same face shape and the same smile. I also noticed that I am a hard worker and motivated person like he was.
3. I loved him so much
I knew I loved my dad, I knew I cared for him, and I knew he was an amazing father. However, I never really understood the power of love and the power of loss until he was gone. I never realized he was one of my best friends until he passed.
4. The grief comes in waves
I will be just fine one minute and the next I am a total wreck. I wake up some days just feeling happy as ever and feeling blessed and some days I wake up feeling empty and broken. It is a very long process and I still struggle with it even today.
5. Milestones never used to feel this important
Milestones were always something my family celebrated, but now it can feel a little bit depressing and a little bit exciting when I get to another milestone. When I got my driving license, I was absolutely ecstatic, but also very sad that my dad couldn’t be there to see me.
About Becca Bowie
”Hi, my name is Becca Bowie. I lost my amazing dad on my 16th birthday, June 16, 2020. He had been diagnosed with coronary artery disease in January of 2020. We didn’t realize how bad it was and so his death kind of came as a shock to us. That morning before he died, he said “Rebecca, happy birthday, I love you.” Those were his last words to me and honestly, those words are words I will carry with me forever. I want to carry on his name and honor/remember him in every way possible. He is definitely my biggest supporter and the best dad I could have ever imagined.”
You can follow Becca on Instagram, @beccaebowie
