growing up, life was hard. that was until my step dad came into me and my mothers life. he did everything for us, the right way. and when i say everything i mean EVERYTHING. paid the bills, bought the food, phones, got an apartment for all of us, etc. i never really thought about how life would be without him here and i didn’t really want to ever imagine that. but stuff happens, tomorrow isn’t promised. he passed away, unexpectedly. now, life is so different and it hasn’t even been a month. we can’t stay in our apartment anymore so therefore i’m moving away far and my moms moving into my aunties house. not only were we effected by this but everyone who knew him was. i realized how much he did for everyone. if you’re still reading this, this is YOUR sign. hug your parents, or anyone you love. tell them how much you appreciate and love them. tomorrow isn’t promised. i wish i told my step dad all these things. thankyou for listening

My parents split up in August of 2018. I was so mad at him for everything he did to me and my family, including my mom. He chose hard drugs, and to cheat on my mom with her childhood bestfriend. I texted him once in a while, because I was 15 and I wanted to make sure my dad knew I didn’t hate him. Then I cut off contact with him after seeing him again in December and hugging him for the last time. I was never able to see him. In March 2021, (my room was right beside the front door) I took a nap at 6pm and woke up at 8pm, to the front door being opened and my mom talking at the door, my grandma was crying and my siblings were upstairs. I was so confused and my grandma comforted me while crying, I asked her if my dad was dead. She said “yes my girl.. he killed himself..” I was in shock at first and I let out the most blood curdling cry. I regret not talking to him. I believe that it’s my fault he’s dead, because I didn’t talk to him. I have the last message he sent to me, and I read it almost every day. I wish I could have done something to save him. Maybe I could have stopped him.

• August 5, 2023