"Despite being in a world where speaking sincerely about matters is considered to be overdramatic/weak, I’ve decided to lend you all my two cents: Needless to say, coping was difficult. However, I feel as if most — if not all — of the coping methods came from one primary source; a source that broke yet healed simultaneously. Acknowledgment. Denial was a large shadow looming over people last year. One of the firsts was the hope that your house was still standing, regardless of the news reports and neighbors saying otherwise. There was still a sense of fear and sadness present, of course, but that stubborn speck of hope in your heart was unwavering. You refused to believe the inevitable. It was only when you were planted in front of that pile of walls and ash in your plastic boots, gloves, and mask that reality slapped you across the cheek. The truth acted as a prison. There were no loopholes, now. You could not argue with what you had seen nor could you take the benefit of the doubt anymore. Acknowledgment was no longer an option. Through this came the coping methods.

   Introducing: some of mine."