Maz Chiong

Nastya taught me so much. Because of her courage I learned to be brave. Because of her knowing her self worth, I learned to value myself. Because of her humility I learned to admit to my mistakes, own up to them, and learn from them. She was so fierce that her personality bled into my soul and made herself part of me. When she was diagnosed we were all devastated. But she stayed strong. she knew she had to keep fighting. She was the one who told everyone not to worry instead of the other way around. When they cut her tongue out she acted like she had the power to grow one back. Even when she couldn’t, she didn’t let it slow her down. She kept fighting.
She’s a big part of why I have the strength I have today.
I’m so grateful to have shared so many experiences with her. From working together through thunderstorms to 100°F+ weather all over the country. We always ended up smiling and dancing at the end of the day and even during the hardest parts of the day.

My eyes are raw from crying on and off in the last 20 hours or so. My arms hurt from punching a bag excessively because I can’t decide if I’d rather exhaust my body or fall apart from the despair of losing someone I cherish.
I didn’t wake up yesterday thinking I was going to lose someone important. Not many people think that way. Unfortunately life has a way of slapping us in the face with brutal realities. Even when it’s the most certain thing in life; Death never comes easy when it happens to people you love.
Appreciate your friends.
Tell them how much you love them.
Be impeccable with your words.
And fuck cancer.