Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to read my story; your support and attention mean much to me. As a retired military veteran, I juggled several demanding roles after leaving active duty. I was not only transitioning to civilian life—a procedure that brought its own challenges—but also included working toward a master’s degree to further my education and create new opportunities for my future. I kept a full-time job, which added more responsibility and pressure.
Intense stress and a constant feeling of being overwhelmed marked this period in my life. Some periods brought a struggle to rise, weighed down by deadlines. My mental health suffered, and I noticed myself spiraling into darker places, where anxiety and depression threatened to take hold. The stressors became even more difficult when I learned that several close friends had passed away in a brief span of time. Each loss felt like another blow, making it harder to find stability or peace.
Writing became my lifeline during these turbulent months. It became self-therapy, allowing me to exercise my emotions and cope with the grief, stress, and uncertainty that seemed to surround me. Through storytelling, I expressed the thoughts and feelings I could not share aloud, and writing provided a safe space to work through my pain.
I’ll never forget 2025 as a complicated year, one that brought far more challenges than I ever thought I’d face. I often say how different my life might be without the remarkable support network I’ve been lucky enough to have. My family, friends, and colleagues have served as my anchors, keeping me steady and reminding me of life’s positive aspects. I want to thank those outside of my family who help me stay sane and allowed me to visit this venue: Cate, Ari, Tati, Josh, Alli, Ruby, the Smash Bandits, and, perhaps most importantly of those, Kumo’s B$%&^&$’s—the Monday evening gamers. They brought me back to the gaming table, where I rediscovered my inner voice. Thank you all.
