Writing a Letter-A Spiritual Practice
When I have too many thoughts running through my head, I write a letter. Other people may write in a journal or go for a run or write a song or find another way of clearing their heads. As someone who enjoys letter writing anyway, writing a letter as a spiritual practice makes sense. Sometimes the letter is to a person about whom I’ve been thinking. Sometimes the questions I’ve been pondering are answered as I write the letter. I don’t have to send the letters I write or then again I might. The letter can be to myself, to whom it may concern, to God, or to someone I know. The letter I’m sharing is to my best friend, Kristi. I needed some help working through something and I knew she’d know what to do. I commend to you the spiritual practice of letter writing as a way to soothe your soul and quiet your mind.
A Letter to My Friend
Hi you!
Is the nearing of my 39th birthday the reason you are on my mind so often lately? When I think of 39, I think of you. You’ll always be 39. You’ll never have to admit you are 40 because you are always 39. How can I have caught up with you? You were always 5 years older and soon I’ll be the age you were when you died. And that makes me realize that it has been (almost) 5 years since you died. So lately, I’ve been thinking of you.
This birthday feels different. I’m not afraid of getting older. You know that. I’m grateful for every year. I guess I just want you to say it is okay for me to be the same age as you and then get older than you. Of course, you’d tell me it is okay. You never held me back. You were always pushing me outside my comfort zone to new places, new experiences, and new people. So I’m going. I will turn 39. I will celebrate being 39. Thank you buddy for living all of your 39 years with reckless abandon. As I blow out my 39 candles (hopefully just a 3 and 9 candle because we don’t need the fire department involved or do we?), I will be grateful for the years I have lived and the people who have walked with me, and I will look forward with anticipation and excitement to my next adventures.
You know I have ninety-two billion other things to tell you, and so for now, all I will say is thank you for helping me prepare for 39. Thank you for helping me clear my head and my heart.
Susannah
Kristi was so lucky to have you as her good friend.
Thank you, Pat. I am grateful we were friends!
Very nice.
Thanks so much, Angela. Thank you for reading.
That is a beautiful and touching letter.
Happy 39 th!
That was beautiful!
I love you – older one.. You will always be special and those friends of yours – with us and gone have been and are something else also. They have good taste in friends. May God keep blessing you and all you do!
Love – your Father.
Mary Todd, Thank you so much!
Dad,
Thanks for your constant support. I love you! Thank you for always believing in me. God’s blessing to you! Love you!
I love who you are. I love how you honor the memory of your friendship with Kristi. I love my memories of your kindness to me. May the Lord bless you and keep you, this day and every day. With much love, Ouida.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Ouida! Blessings to you.
Love,
Susannah