After Dave died, there were moments when the pain felt so overwhelming that I wondered if I could survive it. I wasn't making plans to end my life, but I understood why someone might want the pain to stop. There were definitely times I didn’t care if I woke up in the morning. The grief was simply that intense.

What kept me here wasn't some profound revelation. Sometimes it was Sadie. Sometimes it was a promise I'd made. Sometimes it was knowing someone else would be hurt if I were gone. On the hardest days, any reason to stay was enough.

Looking back now, I'm so grateful I held on. The pain didn't disappear, but it became more tolerable. That's why I tell people: if today feels impossible, don't worry about forever. Just get through today.