And just like that, another star falls from the sky. Another “light goes out,” as per one of his lines in his Linkin Park song One More Light.
I wasn’t even too close a follower of Linkin Park. I listened to his songs throughout high school and college. I loved his band’s mashups with Jay Z and always joked it ended racism for the rest of 2004. But his death is a tough thing to grasp.
Chester brought so much happiness and joy into my life. He gave me energy to workout at the gym. He gave me amazing songs to sing and bang my head along with on car rides. He gave me an outlet to cope with dark thoughts when I thought I would end up as he did today.
I had CASTLE OF GLASS on constant replay in high school, and would listen through Meteora and Minutes to Midnight through and through daily.
You would think that someone so successful objectively and an inspiration to others would be happy in their life. That they would be content, energetic, healthy both physically and mentally, have things to look forward to, people who they lived for, a will to always keep going, and never let anything bring them down for too long.
We always assume that people who’ve “made it” have done so in all senses of the phrase. That they have reached the pinnacle of humanity. But it’s just what we think.
Chester suffered from heavy drug and alcohol abuse throughout his life. He was abused as a child by an older man, and had contemplated committing suicide before.
And so as I write this piece, I listen to Spotify’s playlist tribute to Chester. I know that every time I hear a Linkin Park song in the future, I’ll be listening a lot closer to Chester’s lyrics. I’ll be listening for someone who was struggling. Someone who needed and deserved help. And with that in mind, I’ll listen to my family, friends, and strangers with a stronger ear.
Today, I am thankful for Chester Bennington. Your life was far too short, but your memory will live on in your songs and in the hearts of the hundreds of millions of fans you have worldwide. We will celebrate your life throughout ours. I hope you find your peace.
Peace and Love ❤


