Life is not a straight line. From the moment we arrive in this world, we begin building who we are, piece by piece, block by block. Some of those blocks are forged in the warm fires of love, connection, and creativity. Others come cracked, weathered, or clumsily stacked through pain, indifference, or misunderstanding. But each one counts. Each one matters. The people we meet, the moments we share, however fleeting or enduring, leave impressions. They shape and soften us in ways we don’t always see until we’ve had time to step back. Some encounters bring color, others shadow. Some add lightness to our form, while others leave quiet hollows. But…