When I was a child, I loved a puzzle game called connect the dots. It was often found in coloring books, and by drawing lines from one dot to the next, a picture would slowly emerge. In many ways, I have always seen life through that same lens.

Each person who enters our lives represents a dot. As they come and go, they contribute to the ever-evolving picture of who we are. Just like in the puzzle, if we stay stuck on a single dot, we cannot move forward. No matter who that dot represents or how they leave, it is not meant to be the end of our journey. Some dots are harder to move on from than others, but movement is necessary.

A crucial part of my healing was accepting what could no longer be and carrying forward only what was needed; those pieces that would shape my path with clarity, peace, and no regrets. That acceptance brought me the serenity I now hold.

One of the most symbolic signs that I had reached the other side of grief was when I could speak about Erin; her life, her passing, and everything that followed with love rather than sorrow. By that, I don’t mean without feeling, but without the overwhelming waves of sadness and tears. When I could share her story with warmth, even with a smile, I knew I had healed. My heart had found a way to hold her memory with tenderness rather than pain.

I also found freedom in realizing that I am not in control of anything except myself. Letting go of the need to fight life’s currents and instead choosing to move with them reduced my stress and brought me peace. Living moment by moment, allowing time to unfold naturally, transformed my days into something simpler, lighter, and more beautiful.

Now, I set my own pace. Life no longer unsettles me the way it once did. My inner peace is a treasure I hold dearly. I have walked through grief and come out the other side because these truths have been revealed to me after a long, painful journey. In having done so, I can now say with certainty I am exactly where I am meant to be and doing exactly what I am meant to do. I am joyful, and one day I will be with little Miss Erin again.

These treasured gifts are what I wish for each of you also.