This morning I learned that a very dear friend passed away. She was two+ decades older, a believer in a religion I long ago abandoned, a bit of a hoarder, and a closet alcoholic. She was also the kindest, most generous woman I have ever known. She saw me for all that I was at a time in my life when I had no one else. She encouraged me to move away from the shame of my past and to embrace who I wanted to become.
She encouraged me to write - the thing I love and fear more than anything else.
She never judged my choices.
She loved me unconditionally, just like I loved her.

Honoring, respecting, and connecting with others is the single greatest effort we can take in making this world a better place. Did my friend change the world? No...but she changed me. She made me want to be a better version of myself and in turn, I hope to inspire that in someone else.
This is how we make the world a kinder, more loving, more peaceful place to live - we hold each other in unconditional positive regard, no matter the political, religious, or social views;
Because no one thing can define a human being. We are a multi-faceted, beautiful, complex species with the capability of loving each other in deep, powerful ways. ❤️