I just wanted to stop for a moment and appreciate what Pokemon Y did for me.

Not too long ago, my grandmother died. My mom is a single parent that couldn't afford a babysitter while she was at work, so my grandma took care of me during the day until I was old enough to be home alone. I won't lie to you and say we always got along swimmingly. In fact, she could be pretty frustrating at times. That doesn't mean I didn't love her. I didn't cry the night it happened, because I was so scared I would never stop. I looked for any distraction after. I did everything I could not to think about it. I carried a stuffed animal for comfort, did anything to keep my mind away from things, and I slept most of the day. I have anxiety issues at times, and the anxiety during this time made it feel like there was never enough oxygen in the air. I couldn't sit still. I cried over stupid, tiny things.

During this time, one of my very closest friends stopped talking to me with no warning. On top of everything else, it was devastating. The anxiety was unbearable and constant, from the time I woke up until the time I slept. The next time she talked to me weeks later, I was a complete wreck, and she ended the conversation. The last time I've heard from her was shortly after that, when she stated she didn't want to be close friends anymore. I started hating myself more than I ever had. The thought of how stupid I was, how worthless I was, how much of a failure I was never left my mind. If I didn't stay up until I was exhausted enough to crash almost immediately after I went to bed, I would cry until I was twisted up and I felt like I would collapse in on myself. I felt like I was unraveling. The only friend I could turn to for help got upset at me when I mentioned it. If I hadn't been raised in a religious family, I think there are a few days when I might have considered suicide.

Then Pokemon X and Y came out.