A letter to my good friends

To my closest friends,

Thank you for staying my friend through the hardest of times.

I know there have been times where you didn't know what to say or you'd be afraid of saying the wrong things but you stayed with me, you tried to understand what I was going through so I thank you.

I feel as time has passed you have grown more confident in how you approach my grief by mentioning Sophia in our conversations, sending me random photos that you know would remind me of her and staying present with me regardless of my emotions. Hugging me when tears come, laughing with me as I overcome the sadness and smiling at the end of it all.

I know they say people who carry negative emotions bring negative energy and it can be draining to be around them. But instead of telling me to speak to counsellors or ghosting me, you listened to my point of view as a mental health nurse and you understood that when I express these negative emotions its a release for me and in fact its so positive and empowering in my healing after my loss.

Ye all quickly learned that just talking about Sophia was helpful and all I will ever need to feel happy in myself. I truly feel my true friendships have grown stronger and I hope you can feel it too.

We always said Sophia would bring us closer and despite her not physically being here, in my eyes she has still done that.

I know we don't always check in with each other but that's just adult life, maybe that's why I appreciate the fact ye always think of Sophia so much because we sometimes have a long time apart before we catch up. But ye never make me feel like it's hard to mention her despite the time going by, plus it always feels like it was a short time since we last caught up even if it's been months!! Just another sign of strong friendships.

I thank you, for supporting me and loving me through the good and bad times. You will never truly know how much it has meant until the day comes that you need me in the same way.

I promise I will listen to understand and not to fix, the same way you have done for me.

I appreciate you and love you.