Carrie Fisher was a pop culture icon mostly known for playing the role of the renegade Princess Leia in the “Star Wars” franchise. Fisher died December 27, and a day after, so did her mother.

I’m sure everyone’s seen the endless headlines and tributes out there for the duo and this one might not be any different, but I need to do this, because despite the fact Carrie had no idea who I even was, she was a hero of mine. I’ve been a fan of “Star Wars” since I was five, and Princess Leia, along with all the other originals, are like extended family. I was deeply saddened by the loss, but I’m not writing this to bring everybody down. I’m writing this to deliver the thing “Star Wars” is all about—hope.

Princess Leia broke the traditional mold of the damsel in distress; she got in verbal quarrels with the semi-narcissistic Han Solo, strangled the glob of a gangster, Jabba the Hutt, by herself, and went toe-to-toe with Darth Vader.

She also watched her home planet blow up, lost both her husband and son and never once was tempted by the ominous Dark Side. Carrie did the same in her own life.

She was known for holding nothing back and willing to allow herself to be the butt of the joke. She was also an advocate for mental health, suffering herself from bipolar disorder.

Both Leia and Carrie showed that the risks are worth it, that laughing at yourself makes you human and that you should never back down, despite the odds. A pinnacle member of the “Star Wars” family was lost and a hole was punched in the hearts of “Star Wars” fans around the world. As a kid and even as an adult, these characters become icons, personal heroes, and for some, they feel like family members or friends. They seem invincible, and in a way they are. Carrie and Leia will never die—their legacies transcend generations.

Undoubtedly, the “Star Wars” theme will be laced with some melancholy; as the signature scroll ascends the starry sky it may not feel quite the same, and after the film is through, tears may be shed, but Carrie wouldn’t want us to mope. She’d want us to find hope in the films and in her life that was rather tumultuous. She’d encourage us to chase what we want, to never give in, and to push back.

While losing an icon like Carrie and having to say goodbye to Princess Leia is devastating, it’s our duty as fans to keep moving and ensure that their legacies never fade.

As the ever-wise Master Yoda said, “Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not.” May the Force be with you.