A Month of Love & Remembrance

Me & Alan

March is a month of many emotions for me. It holds both a beginning and a continuation—one that I never expected to walk.

This month, Vilomah will be released into the world. It is more than just a book; it is a collection of my heart’s rawest truths, a reflection of grief, love, and the unbearable weight of losing a child. Each poem was written in the depths of loss, in the silence where memories echo the loudest. I hope that Vilomah will be a light for those who feel alone in their grief, a space where their pain is understood without explanation.

And this month also marks another moment—one that will forever be etched in my soul.

Happy heavenly birthday, Alan.

You should be here. There should be candles, laughter, and plans for another year ahead. Instead, I am left with memories that I hold onto with everything I have. You were strong, loyal, and fiercely protective of those you loved. That will never be forgotten.

My firstborn. My son.

This book is a piece of my journey, but it is also a tribute to you. Every word carries the weight of love that has nowhere else to go.

To those who have lost, to those who grieve, and to those who carry the names of loved ones on their hearts—this book is for you, too.

If you or someone you know is walking this path of grief, I hope that Vilomah can be a companion in those quiet, heavy moments. It was written from a place of loss, but also from love. Thank you for being here, for reading, for remembering.

With love, Athena Rayne Kostas