Today is the one year anniversary of my dad passing away from cancer. It is also my birthday. Anyone who's lost a parent knows it doesn’t really get easier. You become stronger, you learn to live, but it doesn't get easier. In some ways, it's been a great year. Donate is pushing forward, I'm healthier than I've ever been, and I'm feeling optimistic about the industry I've given my life to. In other ways, it’s been the worst: trying to mentally cope with the loss of my father while remaining present for my family and team has been harder than I anticipated. I don’t know if everything happens for a reason. Maybe we just retrofit meaning in times of sadness in order to find solace in the helplessness of tragedy. Or maybe life really is random and things just happen because they happen. For my birthday today, I am running a fundraiser on Donate for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. My relationship with St. Jude and the people there has been a blessing, and I will always do what I can to help them. It's been the honor of my life to be part of this community, this platform, the friendships, the spaces, the conferences, just everything. Without you all, I would not have been able to make it through this year. Here’s the link to contribute