In loving memory of Mark

As Long As I Breathe: 

A Grief Journey Begins

Introduction: Why I'm Writing

On June 14, 2025, my husband, Mark Anthony Fiorentino, took his last breath after

a long and courageous battle with Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma. His strength, love, and deep sense of responsibility to our family never wavered—not even in the face of pain.

Today, I begin this blog. I've been sharing grief videos on Flip, but I knew Mark would want me to take this further. This space is where I'll share memories, sorrow, gratitude, and everything in between. I hope someone out there finds a little light in the shadows.

 The Love We Shared

Mark wasn't just my husband—he was my warrior, my partner of 30 years, and the one who brought me coffee in bed even when I was moody. He held this family together with quiet strength and stubborn determination.

He never had the opportunity to have a biological child. Never met grandchildren. Some of his dreams went unfulfilled. And yet—he gave us everything.

Grief is an Individual Journey 

Grief is not a map we all follow—it's a wilderness, different for each of us. Some days it feels like a mountain I can't climb. Other days, it's a quiet ache that rides with me. There is no right way to mourn, no single path through the pain. This journey is mine, as yours is yours. And though we may walk alone, we are still walking—still learning how to live with love that no longer has a place to go.

He Will Always Be My Warrior

Through hospital stays, treatments that made him sicker, and pain he rarely showed, Mark fought for us. He believed in family, in love, and in the importance of leaving a lasting legacy. This blog—this act of sharing—is part of that legacy.

Closing: As Long As I Breathe

Mark Anthony, our warrior until the end, you will be missed. I will love you as long as I breathe. And I will carry your story forward—for me, for our son, and for anyone learning to live with loss.

A Gentle Prompt for Readers

"If you're grieving too, I invite you to share one thing your loved one did that made you feel safe. Let's honor them together."

💜 Dyan’s Grief Support Resources
📚 Explore my grief tools & books on Benable
📖 Read my memoir Divine Light on Amazon

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