Activity
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Anita Williams shared a letter in the
Remembering those we lost/Grief group 6 months, 4 weeks agoThe Weight of Grief: My Journey
Anita A WilliamsMy grief began on January 20th, 2020, the day my dad passed away unexpectedly. His death shook my world to its core. Before he passed, I was on a journey of self-discovery. I was losing weight, exercising, building routines, and trying to figure out who I was. At the time, I was still in a relationship I knew I needed to leave, and I thought I was getting closer to freeing myself from it. But when my dad died, it felt like a part of me died with him. I had never been without him, and I didn’t know how to live without his presence in my life.
Instead of facing my grief, I did what I always did: I went back to work two weeks later. Work became my way of coping—a distraction from the deep pain I didn’t want to confront. This became a pattern in my life. Whenever tragedy or loss struck, I buried myself in work to avoid the pain.
After my dad passed, I ended a long relationship with someone I deeply loved—the first person who ever loved me correctly. From there, I found myself in relationships I never should have been in, all while grieving and ignoring the emotions I desperately needed to face.
Then, on December 10, 2021, I faced another devastating loss: the baby I had prayed for passed away. I woke up that day with my baby still inside me, no longer alive. I had to go to the hospital to have my child removed, and after that heart-wrenching experience, I went right back to work—this time at the prison where I was employed. That environment was already filled with stress and negativity—not just from the inmates but from the staff as well. Yet, I threw myself back into work instead of confronting my grief.
More loss followed. My dad’s brother passed, and once again, I buried the pain under work. But this year, God made me sit down. He placed me in a season of isolation where I couldn’t run from my emotions anymore. I had to deal with everything I had been avoiding: the grief, the unhealthy patterns, and the trauma I had been carrying for years.
I ended a three-year relationship, began setting boundaries, and started addressing the pain I had ignored for so long. Day by day, I’ve been working through it. It hasn’t been easy, but with each step, it’s getting better. I’m learning that healing is a process, and I’m finally allowing myself to feel, to grieve, and to grow.
This year has been about progress. While I still have a long way to go, I know I’m moving in the right direction. And for that, I am grateful.
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lovinganita submitted a contest entry to
Write a thank-you letter or poem to yourself 6 months, 4 weeks ago"Rising Through the Storms: A Letter to Myself"
Anita A WilliamsDear Anita,
You have overcome so many obstacles in your life, and for that, I am deeply proud of you. You faced relentless bullying throughout school, endured the pain of sexual abuse, and battled through mental health challenges that could have broken you. Yet, through it all, you kept pushing forward.
You’ve had to learn how to love yourself, to heal from wounds that ran deep, all while being a devoted mother to an autistic child who depends on your strength and love. And you did it—you continue to do it every day.
You’ve fallen down more times than you can count, but you always get back up. You’ve faced struggles head-on, often carrying the weight on your own, all while raising two incredible children. As a full-time worker in the demanding and stressful environment of a prison, you’ve shown resilience and perseverance that few could match.
Anita, you are an inspiration to so many women who feel misunderstood, unappreciated, or unseen. You’ve been called ugly and torn down by others your whole life, yet you didn’t let their words define you. You’ve been picked on for learning differently, for navigating life with your own autism, ADHD, and other challenges. But you didn’t give up. You didn’t let their words continue to break you.
Despite the pain, you smile—even when you feel like crying. You have trusted in God to carry you through, and that faith has given you strength to stand tall in the face of adversity. Your story is proof that even when the world tries to dim your light, you can still shine brightly.
Never forget how far you’ve come, how much you’ve accomplished, and how many lives you’ve touched. You are powerful, resilient, and beautiful inside and out. Your journey is a beacon of hope and strength for others who are fighting their own battles.
With love and pride,
AnitaVoting is closed
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Anita, I am so sorry for all the moments the world and the people in it have been unkind to you. You sound like an incredible woman and mother, and you have so many reasons to be proud and to thank yourself! Sending hugs. Thank you for sharing and for being part of The Unsealed. <3 Lauren
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tahjanae submitted a contest entry to
Write a thank-you letter or poem to yourself 6 months, 4 weeks agoThis post is viewable by the Unsealed community only.
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joykeanu submitted a contest entry to
Write a thank-you letter or poem to yourself 7 months agoThis post is viewable by the Unsealed community only.
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TaMara E'Lan G. shared a letter in the
Remembering those we lost/Grief group 7 months agoI held her to me: Mommy
TaMara E'Lan G.The storm had finally arrived after brewing in a silent sea of delusion for far too long. The wind of truth blew fiercely against us all and the rain that fell endlessly were indeed our tears. The clouds drifted across an amber sky of clustered thoughts that hid the sunlight that day.
Yet still I held her to me.
I spoke of angels and good Soul food, whispered love and affirmations in her ear, and kissed her lips. Memories like morning dew covered and saturated my heart.
Yet still I held her to me.
Not knowing that she felt me or even knew who I was any longer because the time was at hand. Her breathing was shallow and yet the life she had lived spoke volumes throughout her transitioning. There was no more time for abandonment issues or thoughts of past transgressions; no space for generational strongholds to reinforce trauma bonding. For soon she would be gone, embraced by the light and Angels she adored. “Thank you” she had told me a mere few days ago as I cared for her, cleaning her and playing her favorite music. “I love you” she had said words that I thought I would never hear her say again after our estrangement.
Yet still I held her to me.
The embrace gave us both the closure that we needed and sought from each other. This day the hospice nurse comes to pull us out of the dark room “Give her space to transition” she said, “often loved ones won’t transition when being watched.” At the time, and in my grief, I thought that was odd of her to say. However when we went back into the room, I touched my mommy’s cooling skin and her stillness almost frightens me, yet it was then that I knew she was gone.
Yet still I held her to me.
Emotions too deep to express escaped us as we gathered around the shell that once housed her spirit. She had joined the ancestors that now danced in the wind beyond this realm. And as the years and time attempt to comfort us all in her absence, as she comes to visit us in dreams to hold dear with our memories, when moments too big for explanation are captured – my thoughts are of our last hug, when still I held her to me.-
Thank you so much for being such a wonderful light and sharing your insight and outlet through grief. I believe it’s so important to find a helpful and healing outlet through the journey of grief. Reading this brought back memories of my father. I also love your imagery in this piece. Thank you so much for sharing.
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uswilr10 submitted a contest entry to
Write a thank-you letter or poem to yourself 7 months agoThe Gift
Isabel De La Pena-RodriguezToday, I will give myself the gift of forgetting.
It will be like a waterfall cascading over me, cleansing me, curing me.
It will be like my mother’s arms cradling me, calming me, curing me.
I will cherish and protect it the way I want to be
cherished
and protected.
And when I find myself crying over things I cannot change,
I will remember that today
I gave myself a gift.Voting is closed
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Isabel, this is such a thoughtful poem. Sometimes, it is so helpful to let go of the things in life or thoughts/memories in our heads that do not serve us. Thank you for sharing this piece and reminding me of this Important wisdom, and thank you for being part of The Unsealed. <3Lauren
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beyondbarriers shared a letter in the
Remembering those we lost/Grief group 7 months agoThis post is viewable by the Unsealed community only.
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beyondbarriers submitted a contest entry to
Write a thank-you letter or poem to yourself 7 months agoThis post is viewable by the Unsealed community only.
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mjthewriter submitted a contest entry to
Write a thank-you letter or poem to yourself 7 months agoThis post is viewable by the Unsealed community only.
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Matthew Jablonsky shared a letter in the
Remembering those we lost/Grief group 7 months agoBroken New Years
Matthew L JablonskyThe year is almost over,
And another will soon start.
This year, however,
I’ll begin with a broken heart.I’m missing my loved ones,
My friends who’ve recently passed.
I miss their sweet voices,
Their smiles and their laughs.It was supposed to be a Merry Christmas!
Another photo in the album!
Then suddenly that changed,
to the first Christmas without ’em…I screamed up at God,
“CAN YOU JUST TELL ME WHY?”
“ARE YOU EVEN UP THERE?!”
“AM I JUST YELLING AT THE SKY?!?!”I fell to my knees,
and started punching at the ground.
When suddenly I realized…
My loved one’s are all around…They’re right here with me,
Feeling all this pain.
Does that mean they feel the sunshine?
Does it mean they feel the rain?Maybe they’re not as gone,
As the world seems to say.
Maybe they’re right beside me…
Every night and every day!If they’re here with me,
Guiding my every move…
Then I know that I can make it!
Because there’s nothing they can’t do!This poem is dedicated in loving memory to my friends Alex Wisniewski, Joe Ewer, and Tammy Pouliot, but it goes out to anyone who has lost a loved one.
You are not alone. ❤️❤️❤️
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Wow, this poem almost brought me to tears. Your words are very heartfelt and gave me insight that I am not alone on this grieving journey. At times, I scream and feel alone. But I am learning that there are other people who understand the grieving process and that it is not easy. Thank you for your kind words and confidence in sharing your…read more
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Hey Matt, I watched my father slowly pass from lung cancer. And my mom is only getting older. Three cousins passed,2 were younger than me and passed due to drug addiction. And a bunch of guys I grew up around do to gun violence. But one thing I learned in recovery is life don’t get better we get better at life.
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ssgomez4594 submitted a contest entry to
Write a thank-you letter or poem to yourself 7 months agoThis post is viewable by the Unsealed community only.
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everything andnothing shared a letter in the
Mental Health group 7 months agoThis post is viewable by the Unsealed community only.
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everything andnothing shared a letter in the
Mental Health group 7 months agoThis post is viewable by the Unsealed community only.
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charmainecasimir submitted a contest entry to
Write a thank-you letter or poem to yourself 7 months agoYou Did It, Thank You!
Charmaine CasimirHeartfelt Thank you for..
C- Commitment to your purpose
C-Commitment to your faith
C-Commitment to never giving up
Heartfelt thank you for…
H-Honor, keeping self respect
H-Humility to know you have value, without walking on others.
Heartfelt thank you for…
A-Ambition and
A-Aspiring to be better everyday
Heartfelt thank you for…
R-Respect
R-Responsible to care for others.
Heartfelt thank you for…
M-Morals you were taught
M-Me, I am always trying to be, true to be
Heartfelt thank you for…
A-Always being true to self
And what is important to you
Heartfelt thank you for…
I-Interity- Installed and displayed
Heartfelt thank you for…
N-Necessary new beginnings to grow
Heartfelt thanks for…
E-Excellence you apply to everything you doHeartfelt thanks to you, CHARMAINE!!!
Voting is closed
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Aww Charmaine, I love how you spelled your name! This is such a sweet piece, and I am so happy you are giving yourself the flowers you so deserve. You are such a pure and wonderful soul. Thank you for sharing, and, as always, thank you for being part of The Unsealed. <3 Lauren
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Thank you<3 I’m really learning how to do that, giving myself flowers now:) I appreciate your very sweet words<3 You are welcome, I love being part of the Unsealed family:)
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Joy Lowary shared a letter in the
Mental Health group 7 months agoThis post is viewable by the Unsealed community only.
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jsonia28 submitted a contest entry to
Write a thank-you letter or poem to yourself 7 months agoThank you Jacqueline…
Jacqueline SoniaThank you for being true to yourself and not allowing anyone to push you around anymore. I appreciate your courage in being vulnerable again after experiencing hurt from family, friends, and even a toxic significant other. Thank you for choosing yourself in situations that could jeopardize your mental health once more.
Thank you for accepting your flaws and embracing your unique qualities. You have made the little girl inside you proud today because no one else could ever fully understand what you have gone through.
Thank you for loving your inner beauty and not worrying about what others think. I admire how you hold onto your childhood memories while letting go of the pain associated with who you used to be. Thank you for breaking free from your parents’ control over your life and for recognizing that you are not obligated to maintain relationships with people you don’t get along with, especially your brother.
Thank you for following your heart and pursuing your dreams without letting anyone else ruin them. Life is too short not to be thankful for yourself, so always remember to be grateful.
Voting is closed
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Jacqueline, You are clearly the superhero of your story. You have created boundaries for yourself to protect yourself from negativity. And you have given yourself the love you so deserve. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of The Unsealed. Sending hugs. <3 Lauren
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Thank you for the love and support also encouragement you have given me to have a voice.
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Barbara Lorello shared a letter in the
Remembering those we lost/Grief group 7 months, 1 weeks agoDear Bernie Marcus
Love, BarbDear Bernie Marcus:
I met you in 2014, when I got recruited by the company you and Arthur Blank started back in the 1970’s. That story came to life in your book “Built from Scratch.”
If anyone told me that my life’s mission would be in a hardware store, I would have told them they were crazy, but it has been the place where God placed me to do his work.
When my children were young, my ex-husband didn’t want me to work. That was the time I got the volunteering bug. It felt so good to give back, and I went all out; I volunteered full time at my children’s school. I also volunteered in a nature preserve studying endangered plants and served on several boards.
While I was going through my divorce, another talent surfaced. I realized I had a knack for encouraging young people to reach their potential to be the best version of themselves. I could teach them how to be great leaders, care for their people, and love the company they worked for. This came in the form of tough love, empathy, and compassion for the trials that young people face as they grow.I started this part of my journey with an electronics company with a yellow tag for their logo. I honed my skills and blossomed in that environment. At the time, that company was struggling to find its place. Five restructurings in six years had me questioning my future. It was divine intervention when a recruiter from your company came into my yellow tag store and asked my boss if he had any talent that was affected by the most recent restructure; he gave her my name.
Both these skills led me through ten years of working for you, using God given natural craft to make each store I worked in just a little better. I’ve been able to develop leaders who will continue to make your company strong into the future. You’ve allowed me to give back to our community through writing grants for veterans and those in need.
God knew what he was doing when he brought us together. Working for you also gave me the opportunity to hear people’s stories. For some reason, people gravitate to me and tell me their stories, most consist of life’s struggles. It gives me an opportunity to slow down, offer a shoulder to cry on, and a hug to ease their pain.
Bernie, although we never met in person, your legacy is commendable. You’ve helped make thousands of blue-collar people become millionaires. Your foundations, created before and after your time in service, are still strong and help thousands of people every day. This will all live on in your memory, and we will keep your legacy alive.
I am deeply honored to work for your company. RIP, Bernie, you did it well.
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nvalentine submitted a contest entry to
Write a thank-you letter or poem to yourself 7 months, 1 weeks agoWaiting
nvalentineWaiting
I waited.
I waited for months.
I waited for the return.
I waited for man that left.
I waited for the dream we talked about.
I waited.You ran.
You ran instantly.
You ran when the first sign was red.
You ran when everything just became too much.
You ran when all I wanted was you to be you.
You ran.I waited and served us.
You ran and served yourself.
I waited to find out I was right for waiting.
You ran, knowing you were right because I waited.
You and I are not the same.Voting is closed
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Aww, I am so sorry that the person you loved didn’t put the same energy into your relationship that you did. That is so tough. But you will find someone who appreciates your love and gives it back to you the same and more. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of The Unsealed. <3 Lauren
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toole80 submitted a contest entry to
Write a thank-you letter or poem to yourself 7 months, 1 weeks agoThis post is viewable by the Unsealed community only.
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saibree submitted a contest entry to
Write a thank-you letter or poem to yourself 7 months, 1 weeks agoA special thank you
Saibree JonesA special thank you
A sub thanks to my mom as
A consequence of Saibree A.K.A SERMON,You graciously accept what you need in the moment, knowing it will yield great rewards down the line. Thank you for your commitment to growth – for wanting to be a better writer, acknowledging areas for improvement, and applying feedback to become stronger, recognizing that creativity is an imperfect process.
Thank you for persevering even when you felt like giving up. Thank you for affirming yourself when others denied you. Thank you for refusing to surrender what you created, even when others claimed it as their own. Thank you for pressing on, undeterred by the calls to stop.
Despite the risk of looking foolish, you’re always eager to try new things, driven by the hope of a positive outcome and the affirmation of compliments. You find joy in appreciating the beauty in both men and women, taking delight in the beauty that is reflected back to you.
Voting is closed
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Saibree, what a beautiful piece that so perfectly reflects your kind, determined and ambitious spirit. Keep growing, writing and shining. You are a bright star, and I can’t wait to see how life continues to unfold for you. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of The Unsealed. <3 Lauren
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