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Invisible Illness

Medium’s biggest mental health publication

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An Open Letter to the People Affected by my Son’s Death

Thank you, and I’m sorry

6 min readMar 31, 2023

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Photo by David Maunsell on Unsplash

In this article, I wish to express gratitude to the security and law enforcement, EMTs and hospital personnel who took care of my son in his final hours. When I first decided I wanted to do something for these people, and being the needle-and-thread type of gal that I am, I thought of making a cross-stitch sampler. I’d pack it up in a bubble-wrap mailer and address it to Security, Business, City. But I decided that was a bit tacky. Who would want to memorialize such a tragic event with a placard?

What else could I do?

Maybe I could write something. Hand-written thank you notes? But I don’t personally know any of these people. What was I supposed to say? And to whom?

How have these people reacted to this event? How do our cultures differ? Since I’m an American, I know we’re really big on talking about hard things. Getting it out in the open. But are they? These gentle people might not appreciate receiving a touchy-feely card in the mail.

No, I finally decided, if I wanted to write something, it would be best to write a public letter. I hope they see it, and that they can feel the love and gratitude this mother holds in her heart for them.

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AJ Wood
AJ Wood

Written by AJ Wood

Good work! You’ve found my personal journal. You may find it healing, as I do. Go on, take a peek. And come join the fun! https://ajwood59.medium.com/membership

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