THE LIGHT BEYOND LOSS

The Game of Life

The much-anticipated day of the charity fair had finally arrived, and the campus of GIA buzzed with excitement. Livia woke up feeling a rush of energy, a contrast to the quieter, more introspective mood she'd been in just a few weeks ago. Today felt like a celebration, not just for the school, but for her own personal journey. She had spent weeks pouring her heart into her writing, and today, she would submit the poem that had grown from the simple lines she had once written about Viktor. It wasn't just a tribute to him anymore—it was a testament to the strength she had found in herself.

Livia dressed in her favorite cozy outfit: a soft cream sweater and her favorite pair of jeans. She liked the simplicity of it, how it made her feel comfortable yet confident. After all, today was about more than the fair. It was about putting a piece of herself out into the world, about letting others read her words and perhaps feel a fraction of the emotions she had experienced.

She walked down to the campus's main event hall, where the student entries were being collected. Holding her poem gently between her fingers, she read over the lines one more time.

"Sometimes, the hardest part of loving someone is learning how to keep them in your heart without letting them stop you from moving forward. But if you can find that balance—between holding on and letting go—then maybe, just maybe, you'll find peace in the memories, and strength in the love that remains."

From these lines, she had developed a poem that flowed with a sense of rhythm, balance, and hope. It wasn't just about Viktor anymore; it was about life, about how everyone experiences loss and joy, and how these two often exist side by side. She smiled to herself as she submitted her work, feeling proud of what she had created.

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The poem :)

Finding Balance

Sometimes, the hardest part of love we face,
Is learning how to keep a heart's warm embrace,
Without letting the weight of memories past,
Hold us back from the future, long and vast.

For love, though deep, can sometimes bind,
Its echoes tugging at heart and mind,
But if we learn to walk that line,
Between holding on and leaving behind,

Then maybe, just maybe, we'll find our way,
To carry their spirit through each day.
Not lost in the pain, nor frozen in time,
But letting their love in our hearts still climb.

In the balance of keeping yet moving on,
We find the strength to face each dawn,
For in every memory, every gentle trace,
There's peace and love we cannot replace.

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When she turned around, she saw Sophie walking toward her with a canvas under her arm. "There you are!" Sophie called out, her face lit up with excitement. "I just submitted my painting! How about you?"

Livia held up the receipt she had been given after submitting her entry. "It's done! I submitted my poem."

Sophie flashed her a thumbs-up. "Awesome! You ready to go explore the fair? There's so much going on. I've already scoped out a few things I want to try."

Livia laughed. "Of course you have. Let's go!"

The charity fair was spread across the entire campus, with different booths, games, and displays scattered throughout the grounds. Students from all years had contributed, whether it was through artwork, baked goods, or organizing the many games and activities. There was a constant hum of chatter, the sound of laughter and excitement filling the air.