Day 159: A Darker Light

2026-07-15Hello! This is an open letter to M, my only (so far) imaginary guest. By the way, I've since learned about the word "epistolary". Reading into it, I kinda hate that trope... so this might be the last one I do in this style.For now, M, let's set aside the things we could never do and the places we could never see and remember what we got up to anyway, despite the odds stacked against us.I've had this fatal flaw I've known about — and you've called me on before. I always keep moving on. Never bask in the moment's afterglow and feel good about the impact we leave behind. My bucket list keeps on growing — the opposite purpose of an intentional bucket list, which is to define tasks and goals before time end. There is only a finite time to reach the stars, so it would be unwise of me to look up to further realms of possibility when I'm already over the moon.We've made it; we've blown past the dreams of yesteryear. And yet. I look further on, and I blind myself to the progress…