REACH YOU

Witnessing Grief Through Letter Writing

So often, our grief needs a witness- especially as time passes, as people stop checking in, and the cards stop coming, and the meals stop being delivered, and life seems to move on for others while we are still moving through our grief. It can even feel like there is a perception that because time has passed, our pain must have passed, too.

And grief isn’t always related to a death. It can be about a loss that is out of the sight line of the world around you. Maybe what is being grieved is something deep in your heart that can’t be seen- like something from long ago, or an identity you no longer have. We can grieve shifting families, relationships or friendship changes, changing climate, political unrest, societal events, a home that was left, a place that can no longer be returned to, a version of yourself that had to be left behind, a future you imagined but will not have, or something else that has changed the shape of your life.

Something good can happen that changes a way of life that we have loved- and that can bring grief. It can be hard to find people to grieve with or to receive our grief when everything otherwise looks or is perceived as a positive change.

Writing to Reach You is for those who are looking to share a story or a memory or a thought about who or what was lost. It is a path to letting your grief be witnessed, no matter where you are in your relationship with it. Sometimes its just nice to even just to hear ourselves say the name of the person who died, or to recount a story about them to someone who has never heard it before, or to share about was lost.

There is no need to make your story beautiful, revelatory, coherent, or complete. Typos are even welcome :) This isn't about fixing anything or processing trauma. This storytelling space is simply an invitation to put your grief somewhere outside yourself, and to give your words somewhere to land as your story is received and witnessed. Your letter can even be anonymous. And in writing it, you can start with Dear _______ (past self, mom, dad, past life, future self, best friend, my beloved dog, earth, city or town, etc.) It doesn’t need to be directed to me even though I will be the one receiving it, reading it, and ultimately releasing it.

If you aren’t sure where to start, here are some prompts:

I lost…

I miss…

If you were here now…

It changed when…

I wish…

I’ve noticed…

I remember…

I forgot…

I never got to tell you…

I am learning to live without…

Or simply:

I don't know how to begin.

Or maybe you just have one word you want to share.

Because Writing to Reach You is simply a space to share your story and have it received and witnessed with care, please know that I will not be responding to letters. You do not need to expect a response or write with one in mind 🤍

This offering is just from one human in the world who has walked with grief since a very young age, who has walked with countless others in their grief throughout her life, offering to be a place for your grief story to land.

I know what it is like to want or need an outlet to share a story about grief and to not know where to get it, so I have created this storytelling space so that you might have it.

Things to know before you send a letter:

Please take a moment to read the *note below and also the information on the FAQs page. By sending your letter, you confirm that you have read, understand and agree to what is described on this page, and on the FAQs page- including how your letter will be received and ultimately released.

You will find the address to send your letter to at the end of the Writing to Reach You FAQs section.

Writing to Reach You is offered at no cost.

🤍

*NOTE: Writing to Reach You is not professional grief support. It is a storytelling space through letter writing. It is a separate creative space outside of grief support for simply sharing a story about/reflecting on grief, loss, and change, and having that story witnessed. It is not intended for processing trauma, seeking advice, or receiving counseling, professional grief support or crisis support. If you are looking for counseling or therapeutic support for trauma processing, or with an ongoing or unsafe situation, or if you are in immediate danger or need urgent support, please contact an appropriate professional, crisis, or emergency service near you. Writing to Reach You is only available to adults 18 or older.  You must read the FAQS page before sending your letter. By sending your letter, you confirm that you understand and agree with the terms on the FAQs page and on this page.