Oct. 22nd, 2022 The day my world went silent. It’s been a year since the world has seen my dad’s radiant smile or experienced his laughter. A year since a piece of me left this earth with him. A year since I saw my grandfather cry for the first time. A year since my dog developed separation anxiety. A year since the lightbulbs in my room have been changed. A year since I thought I wouldn’t be able to keep doing life without him. Even though it’s been a year, the grief will still hit me with the same force it did the night that he died. The reality is that it really will never get easier. There will always be a part of my life that’s empty and longing for the love only a father could provide. My dad was the most loving and patient man I’ve ever known. Anybody that he ever encountered could tell you the same. I’ll never forget the countless nights he would sleep in my bed to scare away the monsters, or the hundreds of hours he gave up to come watch me at dance practice (even though he was the only dad amongst many moms). He supported his family no matter what. From every track meet, to every dance recital, to every theatre performance, my dad would always be in the front row with his camera flashing. His photography allowed him to see the world in a perspective that nobody else could. The main things my dad taught me are how to love and how to live. Not only did he backpack across the world, but he published two books, started a band, and raised a wonderful family. My dad can truly say that he lived. As I rewatched his funeral today, I was shocked with the amount of people that were there. Today affects so many different people. He wasn’t just my dad, he was a son, spouse, brother, uncle, friend, colleague, etc. Life can change so so fast. In mere moments we went from picking what smoothie recipe he wanted to make, to picking out his casket. I can’t stress this enough- tell them you love them. Life is too short to wait. #heartattackawareness 🤍