(This is my thank-you note to my shadows, the part of me that rarely receives flowers or applause. Shadows existence is usually noticed only when exhaustion sets in, or when life abruptly reminds us how essential they have always been.

So pause for a moment and offer gratitude to your shadows. Light does not exist without them. And none of us would be here if they had ever stopped doing the work.)

Dear Shadows,

Thank you for clocking in during every crisis with no coffee breaks, no applause, and a very intense spreadsheet called Survival Mode.

Thank you for the instincts, the sharp turns, the midnight strength, the “keep going anyway” reflex that showed up even when hope was temporarily offline.

You did what you had to do. Always.

You stepped forward without asking for permission.

You learned fast. You adapted faster.

You built shelter out of instinct, silence, and courage when comfort was not available.

You protected.

You solved problems before I had language for them.

You carried me through moments I could not narrate yet, only endure.

You dragged us both through the fire and casually stamped the paperwork: Problem Solved.

Were the methods elegant? Not always.

Were they effective? Absolutely.

If I am here, breathing, standing, laughing, it is because you did your job.

Every challenge was faced.
Every storm met.

Every threat negotiated into a lesson.

You were never wrong for being fierce.

You were never broken for being vigilant.

You were intelligence under pressure, love wearing armor.

I see you. And I deeply love you.

I will always thank you, not only when things go wrong, but especially when things are finally calm.

So here is a bow of gratitude to you: the parts of me that stood guard in the dark.

You were never the villain.

You were the night watch.

And now that the sun is up, you can rest, soften, and let joy take the lead.

But know this: I will never forget who keeps me alive in the dark.

Because of you, I’m still breathing. Still standing. Still evolving.

With so much love, respect, deep gratitude and a clean shirt at last. 🙏✨