Still standing A Young MAN'S JOURNEY

Still Standing: A Young Man’s Journey by Elijah Littlejohn At eighteen, Steven loses his mother—the one person who made the world feel safe. In an instant, grief forces him into adulthood, leaving him to navigate life without guidance, certainty, or the love that once held him together. As a young Black gay man, Steven struggles to find his place while carrying a loss that shapes every decision he makes. College feels overwhelming. Relationships become temporary shelters. Faith turns into questions with no clear answers. And the pressure to appear strong threatens to silence his pain. Still Standing is a raw, honest exploration of grief, identity, and becoming. Through moments of anger, reflection, and quiet resilience, Steven learns that healing doesn’t mean forgetting—it means learning how to live with what’s been lost. This book speaks to anyone who has lost a parent too soon. To those learning how to stand on their own when the foundation is gone. To anyone searching for purpose while still carrying heartbreak. This is not a story about having everything figured out. It’s about surviving long enough to grow. Because sometimes strength isn’t about moving on it’s about choosing to stay.