San Francisco isn't built for straight lines. The hills interrupt them, as do the dead-ends, back alleys, and staircases that thread between properties. This walk reveals the city's hidden pathways, earthquake shacks, and the geology, zoning, and transit history beneath the views.
What I live with isn't forgetting, it's the blurring. A meditation on grief, memory, and continuing without answers three years after loss.
The tech industry has a selection problem: extreme work culture gets amplified globally while sustainable practices stay quiet. For those learning about Silicon Valley from a distance, this creates a dangerously distorted picture of what actually drives success.
Widowhood creates a cruel paradox: needing connection more while finding it harder to achieve. From Christmas parties to casual conversations, I navigate a world where my reality makes others uncomfortable, editing my life to protect their comfort while isolating myself further.
Why is it so hard to write about being a widow? My story has no redemptive arc. No community rallied, no family came together, no strength was discovered. Just sudden loss and ongoing adaptation without resolution. These are the widowhood stories we don't want to hear but need to tell.
