A place to write open letters about the love and light in our lives. Write to people who inspired you, who loved you and who has supported you on your journey.
Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have you as my mom. Growing up you gave me a great childhood. You made sure I had everything I needed to succeed. You have always been so involved in my life, encouraging me in my hobbies and passions, believing in the beauty of my dreams and advocating for me in my challenges. You are m…read more
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
In Carrie Underwood’s song “Some Hearts” she says “some hearts just get lucky sometimes.” I know that’s true. I am so thankful that you had the courage to ask me if you could room with me and Erin. That “yes” brought me a best friend. I’ll spend a lifetime thanking God for making me lucky enough to meet you, to get to know yo…read more
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”.
Dear Mom, Here is what makes our relationship special.
I am not the only person in the world who thinks they have the world’s greatest mom. But I am the only one who is right. There are so many reasons why you are a great mom. Growing up, you showed up at every dance recital, soccer game, graduation, and field trip. You did my hair as a little…read more
Hollie,
I know I’ve said this one before, but it is Mother’s Day weekend. So, I figured I’ll say it again.
Sunday marks Mother’s Day. Without mothers, none of us would even be here. Most of us only have one mom. If we’re lucky, we come across women who become a person’s second mom.
You’re my second mom. We’ve rooted each other on and prayed for…read more
Aww, this is so sweet. I am sure Hollie feels so loved and appreciated by you. You are such a sweet and kind soul. I am grateful you are part of our community. <3 Lauren
This is beautiful. Your line ” Without mothers, none of us would even be here” Is very true and mothers should be getting more appreciation even if they aren’t birth mothers. Thank you for sharing
You don’t know me, but I hope that you will get some comfort and love from a stranger with these kind words. Too often we ask children to carry too much, things that they shouldn’t have to carry. Then we facetiously shove the badge of “resilient” onto their lapel. While you most definitely are resilient, you shouldn’t have to be, an…read more
Aww Kelsey! This is beautiful and so sweet. This line is incredibly powerful, “Your strength came from responding to a stolen innocence at a heavy cost.” As society, we failed Ralph like we are and have with so many others. No child deserves this. No person deserves this, and yet it keeps happening. Thank you for writing such a beautiful letter.…read more
Thank you Lauren. I hope that they bring her a form of a hug; at least maybe she will know she isn’t alone and people care. That was a very thoughtful plan.
So sorry about what you’ve gone through but if you never remember anything else, Please, Please remember the bad thing that happened to you then and in the future is never your fault. You didn’t cause it in anyway, form or fashion. That evil entered your life without your permission, like a thief in the night. No one knows when a thief will…read more
Your words are so kind, caring, and wise. No child deserves to go through this. I’m so grateful that you and many others have written letters to this young man.
I hope when he reads them he feels everyone wrapped around him! I’m very curious how he is doing. I wish we could just reach out to him. Either way, I hope he is healing
I’m not sure what happened but I do agree with you about the innocence of a child and the right to preserving that innocence. Instead of ripping the innocence away and dumping stress and unneeded trauma on a child they should be loved and nurtured and their innocence should be encouraged.
Thank you! What had happened was this young person went to pick up his brothers from a friends house and accidentally knocked on the wrong door. The home owner shot him and then no one would help him. It is shocking what people expect children to have to carry and recover from.
Wow. This grinds my gears. Shooting an innocent child because they knocked on your door. This stuff just make me lose hope in humanity. This is sad and I hope that person gets what they deserve.
Dear Angela, Mollie, and Mary Beth:
I’m so glad that we’re all friends with each other after all these years. While our paths crossed at different times when I was at YSU, I’m glad I got to know you just the same.
Angela, you were my co-worker in the Office of Marketing and Communications. We’d talk about this and that pretty much every day. You…read more
Awe this is so sweet. All three of them sound so nice and like great company. Your so kind and I’m sure these ladies are grateful to have someone like you as their friend.
This is her best, such beautiful words for the closest people who have made your life that much better. We go through so much in life, but when we have those certain people, certain closeness to get us through the day, there’s nothing like it and it makes those not so good moment sin our lives, better. We all need people we can always go to.…read more
The way you describe each is very wholesome and they sound like wonderful people. And it seems like you’ve had a wonderful time because of these three and I’m happy for you!! Thank you for sharing.
I remember the beginning of freshman year of college being worried about if I would be able to make friends as good as the ones I had at home. My naturally shy self wanted a place to fit in and longed for friendships that would be lifelong. Though my floor and I bonded well, I didn’t always feel like I fit in or that my f…read more
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
Thank you Kayjah! I did tell her I wrote about her when we did the Monday night writing workshop where we had to write to someone who inspires us. It was a while back and I hadn’t finished the letter till now. Erin and I have definitely still continue to nurture our friendship. Last summer we were in our friends wedding together which meant she c…read more
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.
@naeem thanks but I am not getting married anytime soon. No one is in the picture right now. But I know that when I do get married in the future Erin will be right there by my side as one of my bridesmaids.
Aww that’s so sweet. You two have such a strong relationship/ friendship. I wish you luck in the adventures of love. And I’m sure you’ll find that special someone.
In the mid-15th century, you invented the printing press, thereby beginning the spread of the written word across Europe and eventually around the world. As a person who makes his living on the written word, I along with the rest of the writers the world over, want to thank you.
In modern times, we have social networks on the Internet, enabling…read more
So cool that you wrote a letter to her. It’s so crazy because now I’m thinking about all other investors and how their invention helped shape the world today. Your letter is such an eye opener. I would’ve never thought of something like this. One person can truly make a difference.
Johannes Gutenberg was a man, actually. In addition to the movable printing press, he pioneered using ink with an oil base to print manuscripts and was a blacksmith by trade. His year of birth is not definitively known.
His small idea evolved into something much greater and if he were alive today I’m sure he’d probably wonder why we make things so complicated or maybe he’s be excited. It’s hard to tell needless to say I’m sure he’d be intrigued.
This is so true. At times I love to write, but I must continue to practice in areas like, going back to read over my writing statements for mistakes, which I do, but usually and only if I’m turning in an assignment or something very important, but I should do it all the time, no matter what. So hopefully one day I’ll get a lot better in it,…read more
This is very unique. Thanking a monumental figure for pioneering the spread of written word. I’m sure that if he were here he would be blown away by not only the way we communicate now but the way we travel, the way we live, and even the way we talk.
I can’t remember the exact day or even the precise year that this memory took place. At the time, I was working for MSG Varsity, a high school sports network in the New York metropolitan area. I was probably about two years out of college and maybe 23 or 24 years old. That job was a breakthrough. It was my first steady on-air job.…read more
I love that the first thing you did was call your dad. You knew he would be so proud of you. You’re one lucky lady to have a supportive father. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Not a second apart… born 1lbs and 13oz, you were there with me from the second I was born. You were there when I was first put on oxygen — not getting to see where I lived until Three months after May 23, 1996.
You were there when I first cried through those doors, it was you who lifted my head, letting me familiarize mys…read more
This is beautiful. Honestly brought me to tears. Keep fighting the good fight and never give up on yourself. Sounds like you have a solid support system to solidify that for you. Thank you for sharing.
That is sooo beautiful and I’m so glad you had another you. Someone who have been there with you, for all the most important times of your life. How wonderful that was. He seems to be one of the Great ones, and how desperately we need more of them. Again, good for you and I’m so glad you had someone who truly admired and believed in you, as well…read more
You are so right. writing stories is such a powerful outlet that can help with expressing ourselves. But not only are they a powerful outlet they truly do inspire other to share their experiences.
Thank you for the kind words, Naeem! Taking the time to read my work and write such a personal, thoughtful comment (as you often do countless times for everyone) means the world to me! Continue to encourage others!
Ah mate thank you, and you’re welcome. It’s the least I could do. Thanks again for writing such an inspiring and motivational story here on The Unsealed. Keep em comin
Thanks for sharing this letter, Jake. I thought the way you wrote of “us” and “we” was really creative. You’ve experienced so much and painted a clear picture of the timeline in this letter.
On a completely different note, I also loved the reference “activities of daily living”; Are you an OT or have you received OT? That’s not a common phase…read more
Dear Mrs. Shuster:
Even though it’s been close to 13 years since I left the halls of Lakeview High School, but you are still my favorite teacher of all-time in my academic career. When I was just eight years old, you introduced me to The Rich Center at Youngstown State.
When I was 10, I was moved to your classroom and enjoyed every minute of it.…read more
I think it’s safe to say we all have that one teacher who impacted our life. I know I have at least 3 teachers that made a difference in my education. Teachers like are are what make us want to keep pushing through. Thank you for sharing.
This touched me so much and I’m so glad you had a teacher that inspired you. Myself, I can’t even remember any of my teachers, whether they were great to me or not, I just can’t remember. Not sure if it’s because I’m at the age of 66, or there wasn’t one that touched me in a way that I would remember. Just as our parents, teachers are great role…read more
This is so sweet. I’m glad you met someone so wonderful and so supportive of you. she truly is a wonderful motherly figure who supported you and impacted your life in a wonderful way.
Growing up, I didn’t always appreciate you as I do now. I didn’t fully understand you as a child because our dreams were so different. At ten years old, I was outspoken and already very career driven. You always liked working and wanted to do well, but you never had a burning desire for a promotion or more responsibilities. For a lon…read more
@shelleybrill I wrote this for you. I love you so much and I hope you know how much I appreciate you (even though you get on my nerves sometimes). Love you!
This brought tears to my eyes. As a mother myself I often feel like I should be doing more but after reading this I understand that I am doing more than I think I am. Your mother sounds like a fantastic strong and beautiful woman. And if I’m not mistaken by some of the stories I’ve read written by her, she is in fact a strong beautiful woman. Tha…read more
That’s a real mom. I love your story and all your sentiments of your mom, they’re beautiful. Reminds me some of my mom, only difference is, my mom, nor my father never had enough education, so all they knew was to work hard to take care of our family. Not only that, I grew up in a very large family and we had it kind of hard, but we felt love…read more
I remember the day I met you
I know you do too
I was lost looking for the cafeteria and I saw you
That day was the first day in my new school as a freshman coming in midyear. I had nine more inches of hair, a bunch of metal in my mouth, two less teeth, and a shyness so natural to me I would never speak up in class (or dare to make a…read more
This is beautiful, and she is that sister you never had. It was so great that you all met at the same time, lost, because you not only found the location you were seeking, you found each other. It was meant to be. You grew an attachment, friendship like no other and it’s a friendship that will last forever, and that I’m for sure of.
This is a beautiful letter. And you have such a wonderful sister figure in your life. It’s such a good thing that you guys met and I believe it was Gods will because God knew that you needed such a great person in your life. Thank you for sharing
Doubt. That feeling of swirling thoughts, a floating stomach, a locked jaw… It’s amazing the sensory input your body creates when you are unsure of something. And equally amazing how assuredness feels so much more peaceful. We tend to second guess, invalidate, or discard reason when we chase after that feeling of assuredness, trying to make the…read more
Most people never discover how far their talents can take them.
Instead, it is so easy to let doubt hold you back. It’s so easy to ponder if you are smart enough, good enough, or have the stamina to climb the mountain you see ahead. And, of course, it doesn’t make it any less daunting when you have naysayers -…read more
You’re are so right, If someone else can do it, so can you. Your brain ticks just as much. You can do anything in life you chooses. Focus on what exactly you want to do, then work at it and it will happen, as long as you have determination. And you’re right, never listen to Naysayers (doubters) they will stop you dead in your tracks. These are…read more
I doubt myself constantly to the point where I contemplate whether I should do it or not. I always catch myself doing this but I’m starting to break that habit and make a change.
To My Dear Little One,
I have waited for you for a long time. I pictured myself holding your little body and playing with you. I do so love my family and the thought of expanding my loving unit thrilled me to no end. After all I have 2 beautiful children that have always filled my life with so much joy. Adding a new person would only…read more
Awwwww, this is too sweet and I love it. Reading your story reminds me of my first grandchild (Mattie). I even wrote a poem of her coming into my life called “I loved Youi from the Moment I saw You” and it went from there. She’s now 14yrs of age, but when she was smaller, we were together so much, she once mistaken me for her mother. My daughter…read more
To people who are too hard on themselves.
When I meet young people who have low self esteem or lack confidence it makes me sad. I was raised with a lot of love so I always felt special. But many people come from homes where there isn’t a lot of support. As a result there is no one to bolster them up when they fail. I wish I could be there…read more
Amen, it takes a village. I so love this. I also love that you were a teacher. This is one of the, if not the best job ever and you have to have a great attitude and love for children to do it. Teachers are not rewarded enough and it’s one job that’s needed more than any other. My daughter is a third grade teacher and I know she loves it.…read more
You must be so anxious and stressed. You never seem to be where you want to be in life. I know how you feel because I have felt this way, too. My older sibling was always smarter than me. As a child, he did better in school than me, and as an adult, he certainly makes more money than me. It is as though I…read more
I love it, always appreciate where you are, where you’ve been and where you’re going, as well as who you are. “You are somebody”, and if everyone can feel this way about themselves, there will be much more love throughout our world. Everyone’s competing with each other. Trying to be better, to have better or more than the next. People need more…read more