7. But it’s not the same without you here.

1. I walk into the room.

2. It’s the same as it’s always been.

3. I sit in the same chair, in the same position, facing away from the door because of a weird personality quirk.

4. I look around and see a lot of familiar faces. We nod and smile. Recognition. Camaraderie.

5. We are all here for different versions of the same reasons.

6. And there’s a comfort in that.