Dear A,

The past few days have been very difficult for you. I'm sorry. You need to know that you are not alone. I am here for you whenever and wherever you need me. I would drop everything for you. We all would. You are our rock whenever times are tough and its our turn to reciprocate. You need us, we are here. Any time, any day. You are not alone.

Please know that even though you are hurting. Things will get better in time. It will never be the same, but you will be able to move forward. You have to. Your family needs you to be tough now because you are our pillar of strength. I need you to be strong because if you can't do it, no one can. I look up to you for laughter, peace, love, compassion and mostly your resilience. I look at you as "Mom". You know that. You have been more of a mom than anyone. You have been by my side through everything good and bad and I need you to continue to be there. Maybe this is selfish to say, but I wouldn't be able to do this if you weren't here rooting me on. I couldn't lose you too. Please be strong.

Life has taken a different turn but we are here to help each other and I depend on that. I depend on you being there for me, but I also depend on being there for you. That's what I am here for. A shoulder, an ear, a hug when you need it most. I want to be there for you, you were always there for me.

When things lighten up, we will get back to ourselves again. We will torment the young boys in the bars, we will make fun of everyone in our path, we will curse and drink like pirates and we will mourn our loss. But we will do it with laughter and sarcasm, just the way he would want it. He wouldn't want you mourning forever, that wasn't his style. You have done everything possible to respect his wishes and he is grateful for you. He must be proud of you. You were his partner in crime and the one who loved him most. And he would want you to continue to be the strong and powerful woman that you have always been. Don't give up. We need you. I need you. I love you so very much and I just wanted you to know that.

Hug.