02/01/2026
An anniversary I wish I didn’t have, yet one that serves as a poignant reminder of what truly matters in my life.
My sister struggled deeply with her mental health throughout her life and became dependent on alcohol as a way to cope. Supporting her was incredibly difficult, and we didn’t fully understand the extent of her addiction until the damage was already too great. Alcoholism is a devastating disease that impacts not only the person suffering, but everyone around them. As a family, we will be living with the consequences of it for the rest of our lives.
I am trying to turn something so devastating into something meaningful by taking care of myself as best as I can, in a way that Jess wasn’t able to. I want to show my niece, nephew and my own children that it is possible to live a life that is fulfilling, purposeful and happy, even in the face of such loss.
It’s certainly not always easy, but I intend to give it a good try.
I decided to share in case it helps, as we all go through difficult times and perhaps some of this will resonate.
With love 🧡
