Some of my most meaningful memories come from conversations about death with friends, family, and community members. Those conversations were honest, connective, and often filled with unexpected humor. Over time, they shaped how I understood presence, care, and what truly matters. In comparison, small talk began to feel hollow.

Sudden death, however, is different.

It offers no preparation and leaves no room for closure. Too often, it is followed by silence and an unspoken pressure to move on, to avoid discomfort, or to pretend nothing has changed. In that silence, grief has nowhere to go, and that can kill you.