Ashamed and humbled I stand. I blink through hot tears as I move my eyes from one object to the next, straining to distinguish shapes around me. At last I give up; the world seems devoid of life, of color. Every breath is shallow. Every day is hollow. I take no comfort in the company of friends, try as they might to lift my spirits.

Without you here to fan the flames, the fire within me has gone out.

How am I doing, people ask. I'm fine. Really. Life goes on, and go on it shall.