In the end, I know I need to show my love through my actions.
I think love is something you show by your actions. When I was growing up in South Central Los Angeles, we showed love by what we did. If I had fifty cents, I would give you a quarter. On April 4, 2017, after school, my friend Kevin was killed. He was only 16 years old. Kevin used to say, “We are going to make it.”
In the streets, I never said, “I love you,” to anyone. When I love someone, I show it with my actions instead of words. Looking back, I wish I had said those words more often. There was a girl I loved, but I pushed her away. I loved her, but my actions did not show it. The things I went through made me scared to open up. My actions made it seem like I loved the streets more than I loved her. When I was 17, I started making money. By 18, I fell in love with hustling.
Looking back, I realize I did not love myself. That made it hard for me to love other people. Love is something that should not depend on conditions, and I will always value it. I lost two people I loved—one who passed away and one who is still alive. I now understand that I have to let go of the one I love so I can be with the one who truly loves me. In the end, I know I need to show my love through my actions. “It’s been too long, and I’m lost without you, Aaliyah”. You will always have a place in my heart.
