Nox Amicus

Today marks ten years since the darkest day of my adult life. I was unemployed with no prospects, deeply in debt, and freshly out of a relationship that toyed with my psychology in truly horrible ways. In one of the darkest moments of that day, there came an unexpected invitation from an unlikely friend. Today was the pivot point, the terminator between dark and light, the distinction between wishing and hoping. That friend and I agreed not to talk about the heavy things on our minds but to celebrate what we knew in those moments, and we saw “The Life of Pi” together. The end of the movie poses the question, “In both stories, the ship sinks, my family dies, and I suffer.” “So, which story do you prefer?” This was the point in my life where the idea of choosing our own narrative was formed and, in many ways, marks where I started to be reborn.

I was guided through that darkness by the help and love of some incredibly awesome souls, to whom I am always grateful. So today really isn’t sadness or angst — it’s deep appreciation. It’s all a matter of perspective. Or, to quote from the movie: “Above all, don’t lose hope.”