I was sent this letter from a very close cousin of mine after I made a move far away from my husband for a few months to pursue some things in my career. I received this email out of the blue. Little did my cousin know that the experience I was having on this trip (even though it was hard, of course, for me to be far from my husband) was one of the happiest in my entire life.
Hey [Name Removed=X]
How are you doing? How is life in [Location Removed=#]?
This email may seem weird and out of place. But I had a sweet experience the other day – that involved you that I wanted to tell you about …..and I have thought and thought about writing it for the past few days because I want to say just the right things that can fully convey my thoughts and love for you. I probably will fail miserably at both but here goes…
[X] and I had the flu over the weekend. Sunday night we were supposed to go to [X]’s parent’s house for dinner but when the time came I just felt it would be best for the baby and I to stay behind because I didn’t quite feel 100%. I was able to have some rare one-on-one time with my little [X]. I fed him and then sat in my chair and held him. He isn’t a very snuggly baby when it is time for bed. He likes me to just put him right in his crib when he’s done eating but that night he snuggled right into my chest and fell asleep. The house was quiet and I just held my baby and looked out the window as the sun was setting. I have had a few moments like this as a mom but I felt an overwhelming feeling of pure joy. I felt so happy. Holding my baby in the home I shared with my husband and kids. But my thoughts then immediately turned to you. I thought about you being so far from home and the people who love you most – husband and family and my joy quickly turned to sadness as I wondered how you were doing and if you were truly happy where you are. I’ve thought about it ever since that night and I’m not sure why my thoughts took that turn to you. It must be because I love you dearly and want more than anything for you to be happy and experience the joy that I do (almost) on a daily basis ;). My joy comes from being surrounded by those who I love and who love me and I know you’re far from those people right now.
Like I said….I can’t fully convey or communicate my full intention and thoughts on this experience I had. But the feelings were so strong and I just felt like I wanted to share them with you. I love you and hope that you are happy where you are….because you deserve to be happy.
– [X]
Hi [X],
Thank you for your email, I really value our friendship and I am so happy to have you in my life. This experience in [#] has been incredible for me. I know I haven’t told you much about it since I’ve been here, but it has been really, really good for me and I’m so glad that I came. For the past two or so years I’ve been incredibly depressed actually and going through a very hard time, I know I spoke with you a little bit about it over the past few years, but it was really difficult for me. Being here in [#] has totally taken me out of that fog and I’ve had an incredible clarity of mind and a peacefulness that has pulled me out of a dark place. It was challenging coming here and nothing is ever always wonderful or always horrible, but overall I’ve felt more at peace than I have felt in a long time. I miss [X] HORRIBLY of course, but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t been able to experience joy and happiness because we are apart.
I really want to be honest with you because I love you so much and I value our relationship. It was really difficult for me to read your email and to read that you feel sadness when you think of me not experiencing the ‘true happiness and joy’ that you are experiencing, because I don’t have children right now and because I am not physically with my husband right now. I know you sent this email out of love, and you would never mean to hurt or offend me, but because it was hurtful to me and because it didn’t represent how I am feeling, I felt like it would be unfair to our relationship if I didn’t communicate that to you. I would never doubt that the joy and love you have felt in your life as a wife and mother a runner and reader and horseback-rider is a joy like nothing else, but that’s because they are your experiences and your joys. The same is to be said about the experiences I have had and am having in my life- each person is unique and each of us experiences happiness and sorrow in many different ways. I am sincerely happy to hear that you had this beautiful moment of pure joy with your son, I want nothing more for you, truly. I know that you know what you want and what makes you happy, and I totally value and trust your and [X]’s ability to make the decisions that are best for you and your family.
Anyway, I appreciate your email, but it kind of caught me off guard and I felt like I needed to let you know how I was feeling, because I really do love you so much. I know I haven’t been great about communicating since I’ve been here, so I’m sorry if that gave you a different impression about how I’ve been doing.
Love [X]
Letter submitted by anonymous
Mormon Post 