Tomorrow marks one year since my son Paul passed away.
It’s hard to believe it’s been that long—some days, it feels like yesterday. Other days, the weight of his absence makes it feel like forever. Not a day has gone by that I haven’t missed him deeply.
So many of you have already reached out as this difficult date approached. Thank you. Your kindness, your memories, your presence—whether near or far—has meant more to me than I can put into words. I know many more will think of him tomorrow, because he was loved by so many.
Paul was a fine man. He was thoughtful, loyal, and quietly strong. He had a way of making people feel welcome and seen. He could light up a room without needing to be the center of it. He gave more than he ever asked for. I miss his voice. I miss his laugh. I miss who I was when he was near.
It has been a hard, humbling year. Grief is not linear—it twists and surprises you. But what has carried me through are the stories, the visits, the little moments where someone shares a piece of Paul with me. Those moments are gifts.
To all of his friends and family: thank you. Thank you for standing with me. For remembering him with me. For not letting his memory fade into silence. His life continues to ripple outward through all of you.
As we reach this first anniversary, I ask you to do what Paul would’ve wanted: be kind, be present, take care of the people you love, and don’t take a single moment for granted.
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