There have been many painful goodbyes to close people, in 2017. Now I realize that you could desperately miss someone’s daily “hello” or the casual chitchats even if it was only about the weather. You could miss how a person’s presence changes the atmosphere; you could miss their sense of humor and the little things they did for you that you never noticed. You could so easily disregard someone who is fading away from underneath your fingertips because the idea of them leaving adds more strain on your heart.

All these heartaches have taught me that the easiest thing you could do is try to fit in and say the exact same thing that everyone else keeps repeating. These losses have taught me how strength emerges from being vulnerable. The one thing that gives me peace is knowing that their love still circulates around and I am certain that it would light my way.

I am deeply grateful to each person who has reached out to me during all this darkness and listened. I’m not sure if I say this enough, but thank you for all the love, kindness and understanding.