Earlier this week my inner younger self cried out in pain and disbelief. The reason? Chester Bennington, lead singer of Linkin Park, was found dead. His passing hurt my heart in a way it has never been hurt before.

One of the first bands I ever listened to as a kid had lost their voice. The vocalist that introduced me to the whole wide universe of music, had been silenced.

“I wanna be in another place I hate when you say you don't understand (You'll see it's not meant to be) I want to be in the energy, not with the enemy, A place for my head.” – A Place For My Head, Linkin Park.

As the years went by, I did not listen to them as much as I used to when I first discovered them. I still would listen to their songs, however, and wouldn’t mind listening when they came on shuffle. Some of their songs had a big impact on me, and I can relate to many of them.

My personal favorites were A Place For My Head and Points of Authority, both from their album Hybrid Theory. I related to those songs more than any of the others, and since I discovered them so long ago, it really helped me understand I wasn’t alone in the problems I faced.

Not only did Linkin Park and Chester understand how I felt, the millions of fans did as well.

“Forfeit the game before somebody else takes you out of the frame and puts your name to shame, cover up your face the pace is too fast you just won’t last.” – Points of Authority, Linkin Park.

What Chester was dealing with must have been so incredibly hard. The darkness in his life clouded how much we all cared. He felt alone, and he felt like there was no other way out. His struggles with addiction and the loss of his best friend, forced him to not be able to see that all his fans were still with him no matter what.

Their newest album was not received well by some longtime fans, but now many have realized that the songs had much more deeper meaning we were all too stupid to understand. We couldn’t understand he was crying out for help.

It took the final act for anyone to fully understand. Instead of being able to offer our help and support, all we can do is offer our condolences.

“I'm holding on, Why is everything so heavy? Holding on, So much more than I can carry. I keep dragging around what's bringing me down, If I just let go, I'd be set free. Holding on. Why is everything so heavy?” – Heavy, Linkin Park.

Chester touched not only mine, but all of his fans' hearts with his powerful lyrics and outstanding vocal range. I owe so much to Chester for introducing me to music. Music has been one of the most important things in my life and has helped me through all situations, good or bad, rain or shine.

Music has helped define who I am, and Chester was the first voice that stayed in mind. Chester’s voice was the one that made me search for new bands and songs on YouTube all those years ago. I’ll never forget you Chester, you are now one of the stars in the night sky I can look to for guidance. You will live on through our hearts and your music. Rest In Peace.

“If they say, Who cares if one more light goes out? In a sky of a million stars, It flickers, flickers. Who cares when someone's time runs out? If a moment is all we are, We're quicker, quicker Who cares if one more light goes out? Well I do.” – One More Light, Linkin Park.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255