This is not a story, exactly. My writer recently lost their father and I am using Regina to do the speech for all Oncer's to take comfort in, in what I have learned from my experience, where she lost her father as well, both her character and the actress. If you would like to share your experiences, please do not be afraid to comment in the reviews.

Regina walked out in front of a crowd of people. Today, she was to do a speech on pain, suffering and loss, for all of her Evil Regals. She looked out at the crowd as she approached the mic. "It seems like forever." She started with, "My father was so kind, so loving. He always did for me whatever he thought was right at the time, even if it wasn't. And that is what being a parent truly is."

Regina cleared her throat and took in a deep breath as she continued on, "People are going to say things to you in times of loss. To begin with, when they pass on, they will ask if you are okay, and your response will usually be, 'Yes'. It is okay to tell the truth and say you are not okay. It is not selfish, you just lost someone. It is okay to think of yourself sometimes especially in times like this. But, things you are going to hear or feel is, when it is time to 'move on'. Let me tell you something. You DO NOT move on. To quote Andrea Harrison from The Walking Dead, 'The pain doesn't go away, you just make room for it.'"

"Don't ever feel like you have to move on, or let anyone tell you, you have to. You don't. Move forward, yes, but not move on. To move on means forgetting. It means, letting go of that person. And letting go is something you never have to do. For you to be grieving means that person meant something to you that goes beyond 'moving on'. Hold that person's hand and move forward. Never let go. Keep them with you. Just because they are gone, doesn't mean you need to live your life without them."

"When my father died I automatically thought of ways to remember him. And that has become a new beginning in my life. The things that I do today, I do for him. And it is something new in my life. And because of it, I can be here for you. From everything bad that happens in your life, something good comes from it. I know it doesn't seem like it at the time, but there is. You just need to take a step back. For me, my father doesn't have to suffer in pain anymore, he doesn't have to live in this world and I take comfort in knowing he is at peace. Even though I am sad and miss him every day and there is not a day I don't think of him and wish he was here. But... that is the thing. He is here. In some shape, way or form. I can't see him, or hear him, but I feel him."

"And these grieving stages? They are not true. Everyone is different and deals differently. They say you can't move forward without going through every step but that is bull. That grief? It stays with you. You never fully get through those stages. Your anger comes back from time to time, the crying, the depression.. It stays with you but becomes further and further apart. The grief stays the same size inside of you forever, you just grow around it. The best way to explain that, is to tell you about a video I watched..."

Regina puts a picture of a ball in a small jar up on the screen behind her. "The ball, it represents grief, pain.. and that jar? That is you. Now people think this is how it works." Regina flips the picture to a smaller ball in the small jar as she shakes her head. "People think that the grief and pain grow smaller inside of you. Now, allow me to show you what it really is." Regina changes the picture to the ball which was the same size as the first picture but the jar it is inside, is much bigger. "Grief and pain, it doesn't shrink! You grow around the grief. Around the pain! People grow stronger, and don't you ever forget that."

Regina turns the screen off. "People are going to tell you forever different things. Things that will hurt, things that make no sense because they have either never been through what you are going through, or they just don't know any better. And I don't care who it is you lost. A parent, a child, a cousin, grandparent, friend, aunt, uncle, brother or sister, cat or dog, if someone tells you to 'move on' or tell you that it is time you stop talking about it, I want you to look them dead in the eyes and tell them, 'No! I don't have to. If you don't like it, then leave.' People don't have to listen to you no, but you do not have to stop talking."

"Everyone was put on this earth for a reason and if someone impacted you enough then you never give up on them. Teach your children different ways of them, or teach anyone it. And if it impacts them and something happens to you, then they continue on that legacy and the person you lost? Will be remembered in some way, forever! Don't ever give up, because if the person you lost makes you so sad that you think you have to do that? That means you mean something to them too. There is no way someone would impact your life like that if they didn't care, or they didn't love you. And they do not want you to think like that. It is natural for the feeling to come over you but you have to make it through. For them. For the ones around you."

"It is also natural to feel alone in times of grief of depression. Feels like the moment you need to talk, there is no one around to listen. But, you are not alone. I know it doesn't seem comforting when you need it most, and you will probably forget it as you go through the grief, but the one you lost is always there. And me? I am always here. I may not always know what to say but I am listening. Never forget that."

"And for the last piece of advice, take something that helps you and do it. For me, it is music. More then one song helps me. 'When You Come Back To Me Again', by Country Gentlemen reminds me of dad. 'Heaven Was Needing A Hero', 'I'll See You Again', so many but the one that helps me most? 'My Demons', by Starset. In my own mind, it helps me work out the anger and then at the very end of the song, there is a softness to the music and I can almost see my dad amidst the destruction of my own anger, standing there. And then I can feel him wrap his arms around me tightly in a hug. And I am reminded that he truly is here. Did he put that thought, that feeling in my mind? I couldn't tell you. But, I would like to think so. And even if I am wrong? Who cares? It helps. And in times like this, that is what you need. As long as you and others are safe and unharmed, you do whatever it takes to make you feel better. Even if you have to be selfish for a while. With a blow like that, you deserve it."

"Thank you for listening to me here tonight, today, whatever it is for you. And just remember, the one you lost loves you, and is always here. Thank you!" Regina gave a wave to the crowd before going leaving the stage.