After I got back stateside, Nyasha and I stayed in touch.
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He shared stories of the new students on exchange as I reminisced about the “good ole days!”
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A few months later, I got the call that Nyasha had suddenly passed away.
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It was as if time stood still.
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I couldn’t believe it.
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How? When? Why?
We later learned that our joyful friend lost his battle with mental illness.
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If you’ve ever experienced this heartbreaking news, you know what it’s like to replay every conversation.
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There were signs.
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You wonder if there was anything you could have done differently.
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I believe everyone has a Nyasha in their lives.
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The selfless friend who always has a smile on their face but inside they are fighting, daily.
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This person wants help but can’t afford it or is afraid to ask for it.
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This is the story behind why and how we give back.