January 11th, 2015

Dear M,

As the month of December 2014 came to a close; two family members were rushed to the hospital. They survived, but the news they received about their medical condition left them and the family devastated.

Three days into the New Year, tragedy struck again when a member of your family died unexpectedly, leaving you feeling pain and sorrow.

As one year ends and a new one begins, death seems to have more of an impact. It always happens like that during these two months during the times of celebrations of Christmas and the New Year’s.

People die every day, but still, it shocks you during the last month of the year, and the beginning of the year.  Whether the death happened suddenly or was expected, we all handle death in different ways. Grief can go on for years, but hope it passes quickly even though we never want to forget those who died. Life is short; we often forget that. We must celebrate life one day at a time.

You will get to say goodbye at the viewing and find closure at the funeral home.

This death, this month, is hard, because the last death you witnessed was your father’s on Christmas Day four years ago. You never forget, but time helps heal the wounds and you miss him and your mother.

Life is short; love one another as much as you can. Do not forget to say, “I love you,” and show them that love because one never knows when the end will be.

Be kind to yourself, M, and love yourself as well. Love the people around you. Let go of all petty differences if you can, and live your life as only you can, and that, by the Grace of God. Yes, this topic stayed in your mind all week and it brought back memories. It does help you put things into perspective concerning life.

It has been a long time since you thought about life and death.

Be true to yourself, M.  Keep doing what you love to do, write.

Love and peace,

M.