I think forgiveness is about freeing yourself from hurt and anger, and not so much for the person you are forgiving. You can forgive someone but not invite them back into your life. Forgive them so you can move forward without toxicity. Whether that’s with or without that person is up to you and your best judgment. <3 Lauren

Closure doesn’t always come from others but from ourselves. It’s a way of learning about ourselves. It’s important for us to realize that we must not rely on others for our happiness.

Forgiveness can be a very hard thing to give. But even though it can be difficult to give it does free your mind and yourself as a whole from the pain you’ve been through, and forgiveness is also one of the many steps to improving oneself. Thank you for sharing

Hannah, that was beautifully written. It made me think about my life a little and my experiences. Sometimes we can’t control other people’s actions but we can surely control our narrative and what we allow in our lives. Keep writing these great poems!

This is absolutely beautiful. Your mother is so lucky to have a daughter that appreciates all her love and her efforts. My mom, @shelleybrill , is like your mom. She used to drive my brother and I all over the place to our activities. My mom is my very best friend just like yours. I hope you show your mom this letter. It is very special. <3 Lauren

You have such a wonderful mother. She was there for you always and supported you in your endeavors. And I’m sure your mother is very proud have you as her daughter. Thank you for sharing

I’m so happy for you. You gained a beautiful blossoming friendship. You have such an amazing friend that cares for you and loves you for who you are. In a world where we have fake friends we must celebrate the “real one’s”.

Aww Hannah, this piece really pulled at my heart strings. I am sorry your classmate was so meaner and I am so sorry your teacher didn’t do what she should have done. But you are so sweet, and you are most certainly lovable. I always say, what people say to you about you says more about who they are than who you are… let go of any shame you feel.…read more

This reminded me of the first time I experienced shame. It was the 2nd grade on the playground and a 5th grader told me to get off the monkey bars and before I could she punched me in the stomach. (Pretty hard too.) I never told anyone about it. I even held back my tears so the teachers wouldn’t ask questions. I’m not sure what I did to des…read more

This is wonderful and I’m proud of you. You’ve shaken the chains that bogged you down, albeit not in a quick fashion but after all of the pain and realization came together you’ve gained the ability to tell your shame to go kick rocks. Thank you for sharing

This brought tears to my eye. A reminder to live Life through a child’s eyes so pure and full of joy. Not a worry in the worlds. Oh how I miss those days. Thank you for sharing.

Your poem beautifully captures the innocence of childhood, and the longing to return to simpler times. It also speaks about the importance of faith and trust in difficult times. Thank you for sharing this.

I feel you. I constantly long for that chance to go back in time to when times were simple and I didn’t have to worry about the bad and just be an innocent child and preserve my innocence.

Awwwe. This is such a sweet letter. I’m sure Erin would’ve been proud to see her old roomie write such a caring letter about her. I hope you guys stay strong in your relationship. I know that can be hard especially since you guys aren’t roommates anymore I know seeing each other is a lot less than more. Hopefully though when you get married she w…read more

This is such a sweet letter. I’m sure if she were to read this letter it would put a smile on her face. Im sure she’s proud to have you as a friend.

Sometime we find amazing friends in ways we could never imagine and you’ve a wonderful life long friend that you enjoy spending your time with and now that unexpected friend is going to be your bridesmaid. Congrats and thank you for sharing.

This is a beautiful letter. I’m sure she’s looking down and smiling at what a genuine person you are. How beautiful your words are reflect the beauty and love she showed you. Beautiful.

I so love this, it truly touched me, because my mom, as well as my father had Alzheimer’s and both was in a nursing home at the end. It bothered me that they had to be in a place like that, but I (we) couldn’t help them with such a disease and we truly tried, but it really bothered me that my mom was in such a place. I hated so much that they…read more

Dear Hannah,
I am sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you for your loss. Your love ones sound so sweet and loving. I am sure they are looking down and are very proud of you. Continue to honor your grandparent’s memory.

Here is to loving your family,
Shelley

I’m so sorry for your loss Hannah. I’m glad that you were able to be so brave and strong while sharing the light that they marked on you in this world. I’m sure your grandparents would be so proud of the woman you are today and to know that you are making big moves and writing such a sweet letter about them. Stay strong and keep up the amazing work!

Aww Hannah, I love this. We can all be so hard on ourselves. But you are so right that we need give ourselves grace, be kind to ourselves and embrace the fact that we are indeed human. This piece is so real and I, along with I am sure so many others, can relate to your story very easily. Thank you for sharing this. <3Lauren

As fellow a perfectionist I can see a lot of my former self in your letter. At one point I was pushing myself so hard to complete a project at work that I was putting in 18 hour days and working on the weekends even though I was only paid for 35 hours a week. Eventually ended up at the doctor as a result of chest pains. Luckily I was just stressed…read more

This is such a powerful message. I love that your teaching many people to forgive themselves. Because it is one thing to forgive another but forgiving yourself is also a main thing to do because if you don’t it can affect you mentally which is why a lot of people are hard on themselves today. Great Letter!

I feel you, we constantly strive to be perfect and when we cant achieve that we put ourselves down and we don’t forgive. Thank you for sharing your very deep letter.

Aww hannah, This is so sweet. I am so sorry for the loss of you Godmother. I am certain she is watching over you and she is so proud of you- not just as far as your career/education but simply who you are as a person. I am sure she is watching down on you and smiling every day for the last 8 years. Keep making her proud. You are such a bright…read more

I’m so sorry that you lost your godmother I’m sure she’s happy that you’re still sharing the memories with her and that she’s glad the person you became to be today. I’m glad that you had someone to impact your life and you lived by that.

So beautiful, she will be missed, I can tell. I never knew my grandmother growing up, but your story reminds me of my relationship with my mom and when/how I found out she had passed. I loved her dearly, but more so in her last few years on this earth. When I received the call that she had passed, I was very upset. I had never been so upset in my…read more

Awww so sweet!! George is so lucky to have you and you are so lucky to have him! He sounds like he was meant to be :)! Dogs are the best!

Lauren

OMG, so beautiful. I don’t have a pet right now, but my grandkids does and each time I go to their house, he sits at the front door until I get out of the car. Once I get in, he begin running, because he wants me to run after him. We do it each time I come over, even before I can greet and visit my grandkids; but granny is getting too old to run…read more