“I am not my past”

No amount of explanation will be able to fully convey the events, emotions, people, and thoughts that have shaped my life. Of this I am certain, but I also know how important it is to share what I can. There are many pieces to the puzzle that is life, here is just one of mine: my uncle shot himself in the head when I was four. Something like that shatters your world, no matter how young you are. Suicide, sadness, anger, guilt, blame, depression, confusion, pain, and all else were the reality of my family. A reality that was neither acknowledged nor addressed for far too long.

Unfortunately, my uncle was unable to get the help he needed.

Luckily, I was.

This I have learned: a million little pieces can form a whole; it is possible to fly instead of drown; and no one is ever truly alone.