There are few memories ingrained in my like my last 12 hours with Kevin.  7 years ago this morning Kevin’s breathing slowed and he passed away after an intense four month battle with a rare cancer – angiosarcoma.  It is a moment etched in my life and a date as significant as a birthday.  It is a day that changed who I was.

The past 7 years has been a time for constant growth, learning, backward strides, heartache, happiness, love, desperation, hope, depression and seeking.  Death has been my greatest tool for learning the most important of life’s lessons.  I don’t want to honor this day thinking of the loss of this generous and happy soul.  I want to spend the day thinking of the things I learned about life from him and after him and I want to share them all with you.

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A will for finances and medical doesn’t seem like an important thing when you’re 24, but if you’re married, the things you discuss when preparing your will may clarify a variety of decisions that you don’t want to make in an emergency situation.

True love, both times for me, has come from the most unexpected places.  They both came at a time that I began working on myself and my own happiness.  It came not from seeking but being strong in my own character.

When you’re broken there are so many vices that seem like the instant fix to your pain.  Every single time those short term sprints to fix my pain only resulted with regret.

Friends will come and go during a time of tragedy and it’s not their fault.  We aren’t equipped to deal with the greatest of life’s challenges and it’s no one’s fault.  The best thing we can do it communicate and love openly with one another in times of need.

Give people a pass.  You don’t know what’s running through their hearts and minds.

There are a million things that divide us on a daily basis but if you approach one another in love you can overcome any obstacle.

Death can be a stopping point for you and the loved one you lost.  But it doesn’t have to be.  In every death there is a chance to grow and walk forward with purpose.

When you carry joy in your heart others will think of you fondly.

Laughter is the medicine that can cure the deadliest of diseases.

Life will never look like we imagined; it can look like a minefield or a meadow of wildflowers but you get to choose how you see it.

One of these days you’re going to see the sun rise in a whole new way.

The greatest church in the entire world is the one with fresh air, curious animals, mature trees, and a constantly evolving natural landscape.

Don’t be afraid to hug and make it last longer than a few seconds.  There’s power in that touch.

Smiling at one another can change the entire outlook of your day.  And theirs.

Be all in when you love someone.  Holding back only hurts you both.

It’s ok to buck the system when you’re seeking, just make sure you allow room for others to come with you and don’t knock anyone down along the way.

Asking for help can be the best thing you can do to help yourself.  It never hurts to ask.

Self care is the best thing you can do for yourself and the ones you love.  You need to be present to be a support to those around you and you need that self care time to be the best person you can be.

There is power in saying no.

Don’t ever give up on your dreams even if you have no idea what they are anymore.

The future is unknown, but that doesn’t make it terrible.

Fear is your greatest enemy and conquering it will be the challenge of your lifetime.  It is a worthwhile opponent.

You won’t be in this moment forever.

Sharing your feelings with the ones you love should be a daily occurrence.

Loves makes any pain worthwhile.