At just 17-years-old, sophomore Dameion Harris had to face an experience most people cannot bear to think about: losing his mother. His mother, Shavicka Harris, passed away on January 16, 2018, due to breast cancer.

While nothing could prepare him for this tragedy, he’s handled the loss with a positive mindset.

“The fact that my mom is watching me keeps me going,” said Harris.

He explained his grief over her as “indescribable.”

Unable to really put into words how much he misses her, he said, “I miss her a lot.”

Harris’ bond with his mother was unbreakable and her love is something that he will treasure all of his life.

Harris advises anyone who has been through or is currently going through a similar situation to push through even though it feels impossible.

“Keep your head up and be successful for them and yourself.”

Harris explains his optimistic attitude has helped throughout the ordeal.

“I feel like I can be relieved now that she is at peace,” he said.

Harris now lives with his grandmother and younger sister, Daisy.

“Daisy was super sad when it first happened, but we helped each other get through it,” he said.

Harris wants to raise awareness for breast cancer as much as he can. His advice to anyone would be “if anything changes in your body, get it checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.”

“It may be too early or too late, but at least you’ll know,” he said.

One of his main goals is to keep progressing and moving forward by keeping his mother’s memory close to him at all times.

“There have been many times where I wanted to give up, but I know she would not want me stop. You always look at the good things. My mom would have definitely wanted me to keep moving on a positive path.”

Harris feels that all things happen for a reason, no matter how painful the circumstance. He wants to continue to go through life staying as happy as possible.

He said one of the things his mother engrained into him from a small child is to put in his best effort in all he does.

“She always told me ‘if you don’t use it, you lose it.’”

Harris feels content with his life and says he is doing well.

“It hurts. When I think about it, I can’t even deny that, but I know she’s with me and she’s safe.  That’s all that matters.”