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Please be aware that today's story contains references to suicide,

gun violence, child abuse, and housing insecurity.

Please take care while listening.

I was in the third grade the year I first remember realizing

that the bad stuff that happens on TV happened to real people.

At the time, my mom worked at a small liberal arts college,

and so we lived in an on-campus housing.

At that point, my mom had spent most of her career working at different colleges and universities,

and so at eight, I was already plenty comfortable in the company of university students

who seemed to find me equal parts adorable and annoyingly talkative.

My days as that kid that lived on campus were mostly warm.

Like the time I'd request to perform in the college talent show.

I sang the Lismiguire theme song, duh.

...