To Friends...

I raise a glass of sparkling grape juice to you...

I give thanks to you.

This year started out rough because it was on the heels of one of the second-worst years of my life.

My reprieve is my writing and my harbor is my friends.

Helping me, talking to me, and holding out a hand to pull me up.

Helping me evolve and grow.

Be a better writer and friend.

I raise a glass to you...

Riley...

for messaging me when I didn't think anyone who didn't know me would care.

When I was just under fine you were there lending me hand and helping me up.

For talking to me and fangirling over the same artists.

For being there at all.

For encouraging me when I was nervous.

For being a skillful writer and amazing friend.

Thank you...

To MsWrites

Who read my story and shared it with your friends

Who trusted me and gave me advice about my story

Who is so fucking brave and talented and doesn't seem to know it.

For taking time out of your day to read my story and tell me what you thought.

For being a friend, a reviewer, a reader, and a fellow writer.

Thank you...

To Gary...

Thank you for reading my story, editing my story and being an honest person.

Thank you for putting up with my 180 at the beginning of our conversations.

For taking the headspace, time, and energy to read each of my chapters and make them better.

For talking to me and helping me see myself in a better light.

For listening to me open myself up to you.

And not deciding I wasn't worth your time.

For trusting me to be someone you could trust.

Thank you...

To Famewriter...

My co-author and friend.

Who took an idea I head and helped me shape it into a story I'm proud of.

Who's writing I love and is an amazing partner to be writing with.

Who is an amazing friend who I can swap music with and talk about my life.

Who, while I've only known you for a short time, it feels like I've known you for years.

For reading my story and liking it.

Thank you...

To FiaA...

I may not talk to you frequently but you have been there reading my story and supporting me for a long time. I consider you my friend because of the time and heart you took to read my work and express your thoughts.

For being someone I knew would care

Thank you...

To Mnezz...

Who was one of the first followers I had on here.

Who commented and liked and shared my posts to her followers and friends.

Who supported me then took my story when offered and read it.

For reading it, liking it, and just letting me know that I did have an audience that cared about my story.

Thank you...

Thank you. All of you for being here and being my friends. I hope next year is better than this one which was filled with peeling back scabs, reflecting, pain, creativity, new beginnings, healing, and a continuous struggle you made easier for me to fight.

Thank you.