For what it’s worth, as the musical RENT quite melodically taught us, there are many ways to measure a year.

“Cheers to 28, may you be remembered well.

Cheers to 29, here’s to the life that is sure to happen as I learn how to measure this next year.”

For what it’s worth, this piece talks about the subject of suicide.
“My pause is forever stamped on my right hand. The hand I write with. The hand I place over my heart to remind me it’s still beating. The hand I stretch out to shake yours to maybe get the chance to tell you that you’re not alone. “

For what it’s worth, this title isn’t click bait.

“…I’m not going to call it right. I’m going to call it real. I’m going to call it tired. I’m going to call it weary and searching. I’m going to call it combatting depression, anxiety, apathy, and expectation. I’m going to call it what it is, and what it is is a wretched soul, saved by grace…”

For what it’s worth, I sat down and wrote today.

“So, until forever more let me be able to say -

That in some fashion, in some way

‘I sat down and wrote today.’”

For what it’s worth, it’s a hard thing to write a piece on friendship when you are currently so damn grateful but that hasn’t always been your experience.

“Sure, having people you can party hard with is great fun. But, if you’ve never been a partier - it really does you no good to have that be your standard of friendship.”

For what it’s worth, it has felt both like a blink and a lifetime away.

“I can’t tell you where the next six months will take me or what they hold but here I am, raising a glass to what may come. Here’s to growth.”

For what it’s worth, I look down. I look down often - and let’s be clear I’m not just figuratively looking down; I literally look down.

“What, I don’t paint like Artemisia Gentileschi or write beloved poetry like Shel Silverstein on my first attempt - this medium must not be for me. I must never tell the world I even attempted.”

For what it’s worth, as long as I can remember I have been stuck on this idea of making things (read: my life) “look good on paper”.

“…where I am right now: somewhere between I can do better and I’m doing the best I can.”

For what it’s worth, I don’t remember where I was September 11, 2001.

“..but what I do know is I have lived in the America built from the ashes of Ground Zero every day since. The America that has been able to stand because it is committed to being The Home of the Brave. ”