What Makes Life Worth Living

I’ve spent a lot of years searching for the light. After losing my mother at 15 and my father at 31, grief became a weight that nearly pulled me under. There was a time in my 20s when the pain was so loud I tried to numb it entirely, leading to an overdose that could have been the end of my story. But I was given a second chance. Today, life looks a lot different. I’ve built my own business and shared a home with my two chihuahuas and two cats. I’ve learned that healing isn't about one big moment, but about collecting the small, quiet reasons to keep going. I wrote this poem as a reminder to myself—and anyone else fighting through the dark—of the tiny things that prove life is still worth living. Doggy kisses, And the infectious laughter of a child. The way your love’s eyes fix upon yours, Sunshine settling heavy and warm on your face, Or rain misting your skin on a pretty day. It is taking off your shoes when you first get home, And crawling into a freshly made bed after a long day. It is kitten snuggles, And that first bite of unhealthy comfort food. It is the smell of fresh laundry, And soaking in a bubble bath with a vintage comic. It is the light in their face when you give a gift, Feeding stray animals, Donating to someone truly in need. It is knowing— This is what makes life worth living.