I want to say something meaningful about the feeling of devastation that I have experienced today. As I look back over my life thus far, I see so many highs and so many lows.

One minute you consider yourself in poverty.
The next minute you receive an inheritance.
One minute you write your first real novel.
The next minute your computer deletes all your files.
One minute you have two parents.
Then one day you have none.
One minute you’re falling in love.
The next minute your heart is breaking.
One minute you’re healthy.
Before you know it your body starts to deteriorate and you discover you were never invincible after all.

I want to give people permission to feel alive. Be up and be down. Own it. Say you’re happy with the biggest smile on your face! Say you’re depressed and you need time to process the latest grief that has altered your life. I’m saying that I’m the latter.

Own yourself. Stop pretending that life is always good or always bad. Admit that it is full of a range of experiences, emotions and perspectives.

If you have something you’d like to admit, right here and now… I’m listening. That’s about the best I can do…