A week ago today, my friend and ex-girlfriend Crystal Fiorentino was in a car accident that nearly took her life. Driving on her way to work, she struck a tree by the side of the road. She sustained severe head trauma and, I'm told by her sister, she has suffered brain damage to both hemispheres of her brain. Due to excess swelling, they had to undertake two surgeries to remove parts of her skull to relieve pressure on her brain.

She has been in a coma for a week.

It's hard, looking at someone who you (still) love in pain, it's hard to think of yourself as anything but invincible at 24. It's hard to think about mortality, and life lost, and love lost. It's hard to think about the prospect that she may never be the same beautiful young girl that I took to our prom.

I don't pray often, being of the type that believes more in self-determinism than blind faith. But when I do, I really mean it.

Crystal, I'm praying for your speedy and full recovery.