Moral of the story: be a buddy, and get a buddy. In-person support means absolutely everything to someone like me. I’m not alone in feeling like this. All well and good to tell someone “you’re not alone,” but don’t tell — SHOW. Show up to show me I’m not alone. We make time for what and who is important to us. That’s how we show what and who we value — what we choose to spend our valuable time and attention on. Showing up is important. So important. It’s risky, but what isn’t? It’s hard sometimes, but what isn’t? Act as if one cares, and it may turn out to be true, later.