I was only 6 years old when my father took his own life. I am now 32, with a young daughter of my own. The few memories that live on are the ones of him painting my nails and braiding my hair. Coaching our soccer games and teaching my brothers and me the importance of using our hands. He was a talented musician and avid cartoonist. He was a jack-of-all-trades, as my mother describes, and was loved by so many. The pain of not having him here has only intensified as the years have passed. The pain he endured was in silence. My heart breaks knowing this epidemic has worsened. I know that together we can end gun violence. I want to use my voice for those that may feel silenced or feel there’s no other way out. If not for the souls we couldn’t reach but for our future generations.