Loss - an unceasingly steadfast constant in the human journey. No one person has or will be able live fully without experiencing, at some point, the kind of heartache or anguish that seems to swallow one whole, to rend one’s life apart. While everyone handles grief differently, the difficulty of pulling yourself together—after one such incident—is indisputable. It may seem unfair that the world spins on around you while you struggle to cope with the blows you've just been dealt. It may also be easy to lapse into the idea that no one understands you, and begin a downward spiral. However, the following authors have chosen to find solace in their loss through catharsis—letting them out and sharing them, with us. In the piece “Spinning,” Ryley Bonferraro explores the unreasonable and unbearable desolation found in the death of a loved one and childhood friend. In the piece “Seven Hour Love,” Euzebiusz Wasowicz explores a different kind of heartbreak—the impassioned turmoil of falling in love, and irrevocably losing it. These authors bravely wear their losses on their sleeves, journeying from personal battles to places of healing and acceptance.

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Despite the intimidating prospect of facing similar loss in the future, it is vital to remember that at the same time, hope and opportunity have the potential to be found around every corner. These authors recount the process of discovery, of finding, in times of confusion and unrest by documenting journeys: of themselves, of close friends, and of family. In “Cafes are for Writers,” Thomas Benko details his personal growth in the self-reflective spatial examination of a cafe where he spent much of his time trying to interpret his calling in life. In “South City to My Own Anything,” Crisanta Wadham incorporates the experiences of a close friend in exploring the struggle of retaining one’s identity, culture and family despite the pursuit of exceedingly ambitious goals. Finally, in “Down with the Derg!,” Rahel Demissie—through the experiences of her mother in a turmoiled Ethiopia — tells a bitingly raw and moving story of cultural upheaval, concluding in the heartwarming depiction of newfound family.

 

This section unabashedly acknowledges that sometimes, we will encounter hurdles and hindrances that we cannot expect. Sometimes, these obstacles incapacitate us for a long time, leaving us feeling helplessly alone. This is okay—it is important to let yourself feel these emotions, and to understand that you are not alone. However, the section also staunchly stresses the fact that at the most unexpected times, people, experiences, family—and even undiscovered aspects of yourself—can be found. It is our hope that some of these stories can help you get through your own losses, motivate you to find what you’re looking for; that they can show you that no matter how bad things get, you will one day reach the point where you can look back on them in reflection. And perhaps, in forging your own experiences, you’ll find the courage and inclination to share your stories with us, too.