Love Letter

Last night, I was cleaning up the kitchen when my sister called. She was crying. She said "You won't believe this. Listen to what I found." Then she began reading a love letter.

A letter to Lisa on her first anniversary from her husband Steve. He started out by saying the first anniversary is paper, so he thought he'd write her a letter. He described their wedding, the way he felt when she walked down the aisle, full of happiness and hope. How she made him feel everyday after and how lucky he was to have her. He described their future full of children and success, he told her as long as he had her, he would be alright. It was a long letter. A great letter.

I wondered this morning if he thought about her reading it. Did he imagine 60 years from that moment, her pulling out the letter and reading... happy about the life they shared? Maybe he imagined her on their 25th or even 50th anniversary. All the letters he would have written by then, reminding her of his love.

Well, this story didn't turn out like that. This January 15th marks the third anniversary of Steve's death. His future was as bright as his letter foretold. They had two kids, they had a happy marriage. They both found a love most people only dream of and then it was gone.

Lisa told me she honestly hadn't remembered he wrote the letter. She had forgotten all about it. Her boys wanted to see pictures of their wedding and she pulled out a book the guests from the wedding wrote in, and the letter fell out onto the floor. Their first anniversary, all came back to Lisa as this perfect memory. This was the present he gave her. They lived in a cheap little apartment and they had just begun their lives. When he wrote this letter, the future was bright and full of promise.

I know, this is the reason I write. The boys were only 6 and 9 when their dad died. I immediately started writing about the whole situation. Their grief, the baby steps we all took to healing. I wanted them to have something they could go back to later, whenever they needed to reflect on the time in their lives that changed everything. I've kept everything.

That's what the letter is for Lisa. It's a reminder from Steve, sent at a time when she needs to remember. The Holidays have begun for us. They have been really hard the last two years. Sam's birthday is Nov 2nd. Then Thanksgiving, the holiday Lisa and Steve always hosted. Christmas, a time no kid should be without a parent.

Their anniversary, on New Years Eve. This would have been 15 years. What would the letter say this year? Then Jack's birthday which is also the anniversary of Steve's death. I almost hate to see them come. I have hope, though. Belief that these days will be better than the last, and next year~ better still.

As for the letter, I'm so grateful she has it. I told her to read it to the boys. They need to hear how much their dad loved their mom. It's difficult to know she's lost this love, but it's also nice to be reminded how great that love was. This letter seems to be a gentle reminder from a man that is greatly missed to appreciate our loved one's and to let them know how important they are to us. I think, I'll go write my own love letter. Maybe you could do the same?