Carol here:
I am so thrilled to have bestselling author Alice J. Wisler as a guest today. She lost a son, Daniel when he was four and she directs writing clinics to help people work through their grief through writing. Be sure to check out her books on Amazon.com
In this month of love we’re going to do something different. Let’s send a letter to someone you know who is grieving or someone you have already lost. If you write to someone steeped in sorrow, know that written word will be cherished and read over and over again. If you prefer to write to someone already gone, know the process will be therapeutic. I hope you will take this challenge with me.
Have you had any response on last’s month letter challenge? I sent a letter to an adult child whose career seems to be stuck. I know good things are ahead for this person. If you haven’t gotten any feedback, don’t worry. You and I are on a mission to encourage. Feedback is the icing on top of the cupcake.
The Power of the Simple Letter
When you write to someone who has died, the experience can be emotional. So my first rule—-have a tissue box handy.
After that, you are pretty much free to do what you want. The beauty of so much about writing through grief is that there are no rules. Don’t worry about grammar or punctuation or spelling. Get rid of that image of your third grade English teacher peering over your shoulder. If you write sloppy, it doesn’t matter. No one has to read your letter but you.
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Some students ask me where to start. You can start like you would with a letter to a person who is still on earth. “Dear Daniel” is how I’ve started every letter I’ve written to my son Daniel who died at age four.
After you have the salutation taken care of, go from there. Tell what you are doing today, how you’re feeling, what’s been happening.
Perhaps you have something to say to this loved one you wished you’d said when he was living. Write that. Maybe you have some regrets and want to be forgiven. Write those. Be real. Keep in honest. Can you be humorous? By all means! Should you recall a shared experience? Taking the time to recall an experience can be therapeutic.
Letters are great ways to remember the ones we love who are no longer with us. Pick up your pen and see what your heart will discover when you write a letter today!
Alice J. Wisler, author, blogger, grief-writing instructor
http://www.alicewisler.com
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