Yesterday marked the thirteenth year without my cousin, Shawnie. We were born about a month apart, and that closeness in age meant we were often fighting over silly little things. Though the unwritten rule was if someone else wanted to come after us, we always had each others backs. One time in particular, I remember a new kid at school teasing my cousin for the way his clothes fit. The kid didn’t realize his clothes fit that way because Shawnie had cancer and would often experience major weight loss or bloating. Instead of walking away, I chose an abrupt way to quiet the kid then grabbed Shawnie to go. We’d later laugh at this and the look of shock across everyone’s face after that initial smack. I’m sharing this as a reminder that we go through life seeing people different from us and rarely know the reason why. Sometimes that difference is physical and able to be seen, but often times it isn’t visible at all. Be gentle to those around you, and remember that everyone has a story. This holiday season is so wonderful and full of joy, but if you’re struggling this year know I’m thinking of you and sending a hug. With Shawnie in mind, I chose architectural landmarks in Atlanta because he always wanted to be an architect. Don’t forget to look up from time to time (literally and metaphorically) and enjoy the life around you. You will find that there are some pretty cool things to see when you do! LTKHoliday LTKSeasonal LTKFind