Penny Lin

Dear friends, if I haven’t told you about this crippling tragedy that I am dealing with at the moment, it is not because I don’t find your support helpful or that I don’t value our friendship. It simply means I am not ready to talk about it.

Grief, it often takes you by surprise.

It’ll take time but you’ll be okay. You will survive.

Silence is selfish. Silence hurts our own narrative. Silence isn’t stability, silence is imprisonment. 

Just be patient with me because I do want to love again.

In this letter, you can write about all the things that are bothering you. Say all the things you want to say but couldn’t. Reminisce on what was and don’t be afraid to hold back on writing down your emotions. Let it all out onto the page—all the good and bad.

It’s ok to not feel ok. We’ve all been down this road when stresses of life– big or small– become too overwhelming and then leave us literally frozen in action. Helpless.