In this episode, I reflect on the approaching five-year mark since my loss—a milestone that still feels both distant and incredibly close. This time of year brings back the painful memories of those final weeks, filled with difficult truths and quiet goodbyes. I’m not sharing this to seek sympathy, but to shed light on the full arc of grief—the way it stretches far beyond the moment of loss. Through personal reflection, I hope to offer insight into why grief lingers, why it changes us, and why understanding it—whether you’re grieving or supporting someone who is—is so important.