Reading his words, I realized how much he had protected me from conflicts I never knew existed. He never wanted me to feel like a burden or a dispute; he simply wanted me to grow up secure and loved. Every sacrifice he made was done quietly, without expecting gratitude or acknowledgment.

Later, sitting outside beneath the night sky, I finally understood the truth: family is built through commitment, not just blood. Michael hadn’t just stepped into my life — he had chosen to stay, every single day. Carrying his memory forward now feels less like grief and more like honoring a love that shaped who I am.