Dear Tina Marie, 

 Do you remember the light that your Granny Rosie talked about that you have? The light of reason, the light of understanding, the light of kindness, the light of a heart of gold, and the light of unconditional love? Over the years, the light we speak of has struggled to stay bright within you due to the people surrounding it. But you, Tina Marie, have shown remarkable resilience, doing the internal work to clear the path for the better so your light would not burn out, your passion would not die, and your purpose would not fade. Yet the journey has had severe roadblocks. 

 As a teenager, these roadblocks made you question your purpose and existence. It made you constantly wonder when you will ever be able to live a life that you love without pain, fear, anger, stress, cold, health issues, and resentment. These roadblocks, triggers, and unfortunate life experiences caused you to operate in survival mode for over 30 years. 

Tina Marie, I realize survival mode is not healthy. It keeps one on edge, guarded, and fearing the worst. That's how you navigated as a little girl and throughout life because your heart constantly fought through hurt. 

  Did you know you had a shoebox of HURT? This shoebox, a metaphor for our emotional baggage, is not just a physical container but a powerful symbol of the pain we carry. It's filled with pictures of former friends and family who showed what one-sided relationships meant, pictures of former lovers who only wanted you as arm candy or for your pocketbook, photos of places and things that traumatized you, and screenshots of moments of slander from individuals you wouldn't have expected to turn on you. These are not just pictures, Tina Marie; they are the scars of our past and the wounds we carry daily.

 As I delved into the shoebox, I felt our shared pain. Our shared experiences and pain make us less alone in this journey and also mean that we share the strength to overcome. I remember you, the little girl whose creative talents in the written word, visual arts, intellect, and compassion helped you mask the pain, or so you thought. You were the teenager who was a shoulder for everyone to lean on and the adult who gave her last, while none of those people were there when you hit rock bottom. I understand, Tina Marie, because our experiences are intertwined.