I just read your sister's letter. wow... no mincing of words, pure love poured out on paper. it brought tears to my eyes too.

the "knowledge" that one is loved, needed, or otherwise valuable, seems to have this uncanny tendency to drop out of one's psyche when one is in depression, grief, both. Being affirmed externally the way your sister did is so incredibly healing. What an incredible Christmas gift. I am so glad you are with her, and that she was able to open up and even express herself so concretely. i hope you and she will continue to grow closer ... it sounds like you both need each other.

i just deleted a paragraph about my family but the point of it was to say i can relate because in my family there also seemed to be a silent taboo on overt emotional expression. i feel awkward because i have babbled so much in my other posts. so i will shut up before i lose the courage to hit submit.

all the best to you,

~ waves ~ from across the ocean