Dear Friend(s)

Praise be to the God and Father... who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with comfort we ourselves have received from God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

This letter is from a book I am currently reading about grief. I want to share this letter. Please know this is not directed to any one person, it is merely just a good letter for friends, not just of mine, but of anyone who may be struggling with grief or hard times of any kind.

Dear Friend,

Please be patient with me, I need to grieve in my own way and in my own time. Please don't take away my grief or try to fix my pain. The best thing you can do is listen to me and let me cry on your shoulder. Don't be afraid to cry with me. Your tears will tell me how much you care.

Please forgive me if I seem insensitive to your problems. I feel depleted and drained like an empty vessel with nothing left to give.

Please let me express my feelings and talk about my memories. Feel free to share your own stories of my loved one with me. I need to hear them.

Please understand why I must turn a deaf ear to criticism or tired clichés. I can't handle another person telling me that time heals all wounds.

Please don't try to find the "right" words to say to me. There's nothing you can say to take away the hurt and I am not expecting you to.

Please don't push me to do things I am not ready to do or feel hurt if I seem withdrawn. This is a necessary part of my recovery.

Please don't stop calling me or anyone in my family, you might think you are respecting my privacy, but to me it feels like abandonment when suddenly the calls, texts, messages and comments stop coming.

Please don't expect me to be the same as I was before. I've been through a traumatic experience and I am a different person. Please accept me for who I am today.

Pray with me and for me. Should I falter in my own faith, let me lean on yours.

In return for your loving support, I promise that after I have worked through my grief, I will be a more loving, caring, sensitive and supportive friend - because I have learned from the best.

Love always,

Your Friend

I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart

Romans 9:2

Chances are there is something you want to say to a loved one - perhaps something as simple as I love you or I miss you. Maybe you are angry, resentful, or need forgiveness. Any and all of these feelings can be expressed in a letter. Don't hold back. Being honest with a loved one isn't disrespectful, clearing the air is just another way to make room for love.