Sunday, August 11, 2013

Letters Unsent

This letter is in response to the Write Tribe writer's prompt "Letter's Unsent". While I struggled with this prompt, I woke up this morning and the words and tears flowed. So, thank you...I needed that.


To My Dearest Friend, 

    It seems unbelievable to me that nearly 20 years have passed since we last laughed.  Tomorrow it will be exactly 20 years to the day since you left.  I learned so much from you Mom.  Didn’t we have fun?  Oh the memories we shared!  I know you didn’t want to go, but had little choice.  I knew as soon as I found you your pain was finally gone and you were at peace.  You looked joyful and I have carried that image with me ever since.  It was at that point I realized my life would never be the same.  To be honest, I never once believed you would actually die and leave me.  Maybe that is why the loss rocked me to my very core for years after.




     From your life and death I learned that life is all about changes and that nothing stays the same.  I learned friendships don’t last.  All those so called best friends I had throughout school that dropped me one after another were only ever acquaintances.  You would disagree with me once you knew they were friends with me on Face Book.  I can hear you know saying “Kathy, look at all the friends you have!!”  What I have learned is most people who friend you there only want the connection.  Their inborn curiosity demands to know your business and take a glimpse into your life.  With social networks they can do that without ever having to really connect with you in person.  Still the encouragement I find there gives me so much comfort.

         I can finally look back and understand that friendships are fleeting.  They never last.    After your death I made up my mind that I would never waste my time on believing someone was my best friend again unless they were my family as you were.  They come and they go plain and simple and it is best not to get too attached but to appreciate them while they are here and let them go when they are ready.  It is amazing to me how people pass through one’s life.  Still there are a couple of those Face Book friends who have touched my heart.  One in particular chats with me constantly.  It is amazing that she and I have never met in person but I know if we did, we would be the best of friends!!


     You will be happy to know that I have a daughter who is the image of you and of me.  I also have a son who I love to pieces.  You would have loved them both so much and it breaks my heart that you never got to meet
them. 
I know you would loved my husband and I know he would have loved you. They have become my best friends in your stead.   I thank God for my memories where you still live so vividly and I can’t wait until the day when I see you again.  I realize now how lucky I was to have a best friend in you.  I know now, you weren’t perfect but I also know that I loved you with every fiber of my being, that I would of done anything for you I could and did, and that with you I have no regrets.  Twenty years later, my heart still aches for you and the tears still flow.  Don't worry Mom, I am OK, really!  I love you.  I promise I will see you again!!

 Love, Me




    

     

46 comments:

  1. This is the most beautiful and telling piece you have ever, ever written. Eyes damp here, but only with admiration and a little sadness. I feel like we could be the best of friends irl and I have always felt a real connection with you. FB friends comes in all shapes and sizes and some of them, like you, are just too unique and precious to label.

    Giant hugs as you remember your loving mom today as all days. You are obviously the mother you are based on her parenting.

    💙

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    1. Jo, thank you for stopping in and for your sweet comments. This has always been a hard day for me. Devastating and torturous at first and just plain sad now. ♥

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  2. Dear Kathy, this touched me on so many levels, partially because they echo so much of my life and beliefs. August 8 was 22 years since my mom and best friend died. I miss her every day and so wished she was here to see her grandson...

    You will see her again.

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    1. Jessica, our lives do echo don't they? Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments. ♥

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  3. That's a beautiful letter Kathy. Its great to know that you had a special bond with her and over the years your feelings for have only grown. I am sure she looks down at you with the same fondness.

    God bless :)

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    1. Rainbow Hues, we were the best of friends and were extremely close. I miss her and probably always will. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥

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  4. Genuine and touching.....I liked the fact, 'appreciate but don't get attached'
    people who leave us physically go nowhere, they dwell within us instead... :-)

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    1. Shellymona, I think that has a lot to do with why I don't allow myself to get overly attached to people. I don't want to be devastated when they leave. Besides no one really completely leaves. Anyone that touches are lives remain with us forever whether negatively or positively. We remember them and learn from them. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments.

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  5. Wow Kathy, truly this made me very weird inside. Its been thirteen years since I lost my mom and I know the feeling. I can almost picture myself writing this letter to her. I don't know what to say, just *hugs*

    Richa

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    1. Richa, I am so pleased you enjoyed my letter. I couldn't imagine who I would write my letter to but then it became crystal clear. She was after all not only my mom but my best friend. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥

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  6. Kathy, you have moved me to tears, yet again. Your Mom will be so proud of your choices and the way you are using your gift of words and art. I'm so glad we're connected. You inspire me! ♥

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    1. Corinne, I hope she is. I am floored that I inspire you! You inspire me and I am proud and blessed to have you as a friend. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments. ♥

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  7. Wow! So heartwrenching and heartfelt! You obviously loved your mother very much. ♥ Wonderful post, Kathy.

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    1. Debbie, I did. I miss her so. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments. ♥

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  8. That was lovely. This month marks 28 years since my mom passed on. Hard to believe the time flies by so fast.
    Sorry to hear about your friendships though. I'm grateful that many of my childhood friends are still dear friends today. My best friend is one I've known since the 2nd grade.

    Thanks for sharing your beautiful thoughts!
    ~Debra

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    1. Debra, it is amazing how fast time flies by past. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥

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  9. Kathy, this is beautifully written from your heart. I know how much you loved your Mom and she would be so proud of all of the wonderful things you have accomplished in your life. We have shared so much as friends chatting non-stop for hours on Facebook even though we have never met. You are my best friend and for that I will be forever grateful. Hold your head up high because you are a wonderful Mother and Wife. The care you show your children everyday speaks of the kindness in your heart. Always putting their needs before your own, you perservere through life in a way only others could ever possibly imagine to accomplish. I tip my hat to you and all that you are about. Your love for your Mother will never end because she will always live within you...in your values, your kindness, and your never ending ear to lend a hand when needed. Friendships do come and go and some are not worth fretting over but, true friends stay the course. I am glad that we are those kind of friends and my life has been forever touched by this lasting friendship. This is a wonderful tribute to your Mother...heartfelt and so inspiring to all of us who know and love you. You are an excellent writer...one who share from the heart and as I have always said...that is where great writing always comes from. Love you my friend...

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    1. Mary, I have been so blessed to find you online because you are my best friend too even though we have never met. I know somehow, some way we will. Thank you for being my dearest friend. Life wouldn't be the same without you. Your words have touched my heart so deeply. Thank you for stopping by to read my post and for your sweet comments. You can't imagine how much they mean to me!! Love you too! ♥

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  10. So touching, Kathy. I can see you touched a chord with many others here and you certainly did with me, too. So sad you lost your mother so early in your life. I am sorry. She would be proud of how you've gone on making a family with your two kids and hubby.

    You're right that we don't know each intimately on the Internet and only glimpse parts of each other's lives that we want to share with each other. Thanks for sharing this part of your life with us. It was a privilege.

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    1. Writercat59, I have done the best I could without her. I hope I have made her proud. There are times when I am just beside myself because I feel she would be so disappointed with me. But you are right, she would have loved me regardless because she was always my biggest cheerleader and my best friend. I feel blessed to have come to know you through your writing. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥

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  11. That was beautiful and made me all teary eyed.

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    1. JoJo, I am so pleased you enjoyed it!! Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

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  12. Oh Kathy, my mom is my best friend too. She is 84 yrs. old. This past December she started taking a dive in health and I thought this might be it, but she completely recovered and is now her old self again. I just don't know what I will do when she is gone.

    I was also very close to my Dad who has been gone almost 20 years. When I imagined myself writing a letter to him, such as you did, I just felt like I couldn't get through it. I'm sure this took a lot of courage and you shed many tears while writing it. Thanks for sharing it with us! ♡

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    1. beachlover, I was bawling like a big baby listening to the song I chose over and over!!! I was close to my Dad too. He has been gone now 9 years. When she is gone you will go on living amazingly enough. It will be hard, but you will do it because your time won't be finished here yet. You will do the best you can. I always wondered how the sun would dare to come up to a world without her in it, but it did and life went on. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your sweet comments! ♥

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  13. It feels like that was a very hard letter for your heart to write. So beautiful. I am honored that you shared that part of your life with all of us.

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    1. Cheryl, emotionally it was but it was amazing how the words and tears flowed. I felt better having wrote it. Thank you for stopping in and for your sweet comments! ♥

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  14. That is very touching letter Kathy. So true this is. Moms are the best friends ever. Hugs to you dear.

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    1. Jyothisdayout, very true!! Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments. ♥

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  15. Aww Kathy - this was so sweet and yet so heart wrenching. What a beautiful tribute to your mum. I'm sure your mum is watching from above. You wrote this so beautifully, I could feel the love between you and her. Big hugs dear Kathy.

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    1. Suzy, I am so happy you liked my letter. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥

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  16. a very touching and heartfelt letter Kathy... a super tribute to your mom.. I could actually feel the emotions and sentiments of your relationship in this letter...loads of hugs ♥

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    1. Sukupedia, I am so pleased you enjoyed and it sure was packed with emotion. I cried while writing it and cried a little after it was published but it felt good to write it and I felt better for it. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥

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  17. Hi Kathy! Thanks for adding my Picture Perfect button and leaving a comment on my blog. I can see that this was a very challenging post for you to write. It must be tough that your mom wasn't here on earth to meet your hubby and your kids. I'm glad you have positive memories of her that you can still hold close. Take care and God bless!

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    1. Christina, I think the thing that bothers me most is that my kids never knew her and had her for a grandma...a grandma they so deserved. She would have loved them to pieces. She lives through my memories and my pictures and I have tried all my kids lives to keep her alive for them. Thank you for stopping in and for your kind comments.♥

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  18. Kathy - This is a beautiful, heartfelt letter that I can relate to in so many ways. I'm glad we connected on Facebook. I want you to know how much I appreciate your writing but more importantly, I'm sure you have no idea how your support of my blog provides encouragement to me. Thank you. Talya

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    1. Tayla, I am glad we did too. I love reading your posts and love your writing style. You are amazing!! Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

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  19. That's so very touching, Kathy! Just wonderful!

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    1. Roshni, I am so pleased you enjoyed my letter. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

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  20. This is a beautiful tribute to your mother. Mine is gone, too. :(

    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com

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    1. Joyce, I am so pleased you enjoyed it. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥

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  21. Wow.....really made me stop and think about my best friend all those years ago! Time and space changes everything and its just another reminder to stop and smell the roses every day. This was a very sincere and heart felt blog that I enjoyed reading very much!

    http://cafeab.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Batey, I am so pleased you enjoyed it! Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥

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  22. Beautiful words to your Mom ~ you are an amazing daughter and she certainly would be proud ... Judi

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    1. Judi, I hope she would be proud. I sure do miss her. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥

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  23. Kathy, I have tears in my eyes...
    I can feel your pain as I have lost my Mom recently.
    Life is all about learning and growing.
    Am sure we'll get to meet our Moms someday. I believe Souls never die.

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    1. anitaexplorer, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I believe the same and know that one day we will all be together again. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥

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