I lost my dad when I was 14 after his battle with addiction. We had the strongest bond and love for each other but spent a few years apart because of his issue.

1. Never let the stigma surrounding addiction/ overdosing define or tarnish the person you love. My dad was the handsomest, funniest, and gentlest soul. He had a heart of gold but a bad habit. I'll never let that define him and I will most definitely never be ashamed of him or his issue. I actually am honoured that I get to call him my dad. I'm so proud when I tell stories of him or show his picture.

2. Talk about them! Laugh about them, cry about them, look at pictures, tell stories. Keep them alive through YOU! The people who love you will enjoy hearing you talk about them. The closest people to me love my dad whether they knew him or not. The ones who didn't know him, wish they did.

3. The anger isn't worth it. Dealing with an addict is extremely difficult. I was so angry and hurt that it contributed to us not seeing each other for a few years. I would do anything for that time back and to do it all over again no matter what it could've brought. I wish the years of absence were filled with memories, conversations, laughs, pictures, etc. Life is way too short to be angry - my dad was only 33 years old.

4. Don't let your loss turn you cold. Love openly and freely. Tell your friends and family how much you love them and how amazing you think they are even if it leaves you vulnerable. Love is so powerful. Don't leave issues unresolved with people you love. I ran into my dad unexpectedly and that was the last time I ever saw him or spoke to him. He died exactly nine months later and the last thing we said was how much we loved each other. That has brought me so much peace that we got that out after almost four years.

5. Some people come into your life unexpectedly and change it forever. I like to believe my dad has brought me some of my favourite people because of how much they have helped me. Coincidences don't exist. Probably the closest person to me knew my dad since she was a teenager and was a part of his life for a long time. She has become family and I know it's not a coincidence. She's my soulmate! I also reconnected with a family friend that was around my dad and I when I was young and she'll always have a special place in my heart. They're around us for a reason, trust them and love them. Sharing your love and memories with someone who knew them as well is so comforting.

Five Things is a collection of the five things our collaborators want you to know about life, death and everything in between. Over the next few months, we’ll be covering illness, dying, death, funerals, grief, heartache, adversity and many other topics. If you’d like to write your own Five Things, please get in touch.