The Nineteenth

Dear Amanda,

I've known you for almost 4 years and yet I feel we just became friends in the last 4 months. I find it amazing that the same source that kept us separated has now become the source that brought us together. Now you are leaving - I'm happy for you. I hope that you find peace and happiness. My heart breaks for you as I know how low in life you have fallen. I know because I have been there. I know the struggle as you desperately cling and scratch at whatever you can to climb out of that hole. I know the struggles to smile, to laugh, to trust. I know your pain in a way that only the two of us can.
I want you to know, though, that you can. You will smile, you will laugh, one day you will look back and realize you are a better person because of that hole you were in. You also need to know how grateful I am for you. You were another loving parent to my children. Yes, our parenting styles differed greatly but at the end of the day my children know you love them and they know you will continue to love them. More so, please know you will always be family - you will always have a place in our home and our hearts.

Jealous that you are moving,

Mel P