True this. But yet, aren’t we grateful still for having had those experiences, walking through them, learning to see them for what they are? This is what makes your writing, my writing so very much better. This makes us stronger, gives us compassion, and enriches our writing with insight. While tough, while downright goddamend SHITTY at the time, without these experiences, our writing can’t resonate for others. The price paid for excellence, for impact.