my life has changed in ways i wouldn't have expected. the places i used to visit are different now, some stores i always went to have closed, some familiar spots have faded, and new ones have taken their place. people change too. some friends left, some stayed, and some are still around but all we do now when we see each other is smile, no conversation, no hi or hello. it feels so strange that the people i used to talk about life with are now just strangers, even though we share memories. i also met new people who i never expected to have a big role in who i have become. and each of them taught me something, they changed me for the better, and i am grateful for that even though some of what i felt was not beautiful. i learned to appreciate everything. i realized how lucky i am to be able to change, to be able to grow, to be able to feel everything and still move forward. this is what makes me human, the ability to outgrow things and still appreciate the memories, to become someone new while still holding on to what truly matters to me now.