• Dear ******,

    I realize, at this point in time, words cannot begin to describe the anguish you must be going through. All I can say is this, I hope after reading this “letter” you may find some relief, if you will, and maybe some closure (if at all possible) to this tragic event that has bereaved you and your family.
    The hardships you must be facing right now, though I cannot at all begin to imagine to the fullest possible extent of, I have somewhat felt through close-nit friends. If I may tell you my experience, if it will not trouble you too much. I had a very good friend, (though I did not know his other friend, I still felt his anguish.), I met him at Blue Lake, and though I had known him once prior, the day will still be with me.
    My friend’s name is Alex (I will not tell you his last name, for reasons not to be disclosed) I remember, it was night, our cabin was finally receiving the mail. Alex was across the cabin in the bunk directly in front of mine. We had all had the best night of our life, singing, laughing, punching each other a few times, and being threatened by the cabin Nazi named Matt. We were teasing each other about something...I can’t place what. All of a sudden my friend Tim Ossman, who’s mother died from cancer and who’s father had died one year and six days previously, jerked up from lying down, and poked me in the shoulder. I looked up to see Alex with a horrified look on his face. T.O. and I told everybody very blatantly to shut up. It turned out Alex received, via postage, a clip from a newspaper and a letter uttering some very bad news. His Best friend, since he was 3 years of age, had collapsed two days before while playing at a soccer game and died of a heart attack.
    Well this is why I just wanted to say that I think...I cannot say for sure... I know some what of what you are going through...oh and my cousin also ended his life very abruptly but I was just the age of six...I think...and he ended it over some girl.
    Thank you for taking the time for reading this. I hope you and your family can have some comfort in knowing that there are people who care...
    In the words of Emily Dickinson (whom the name sounds familiar but still doesn’t ring a bell) “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without words and never stops– at all.”

    Please forgive me if this letter upset you in any way shape or form... I only wish to ease your pain (though, unfortunately for me and maybe for you, that is entirely impossible) and I also just wished to let you know that there are people all around you who care.
    I am deeply sorry for you loss Carolyn (& family). I am, and always will be there for you.

    Sincerely,
    Bryan Bur