Dear Preacher

Dear Preacher,

To begin, I would like to express my gratitude for your presence. I appreciate you have not succumbed to despair and have continued being, not because we require your presence, but because you have recognised the value of your own life. I believe that is remarkable. Facing death regularly and still discovering reasons to persevere is a testament to the strength and courage that life causes.

I just wanted to express my gratitude for being there for me during one of the most difficult moments of my life. It felt like everything and everyone I cared about was too distant to truly understand, but you were different. Despite being physically far, over four thousand miles to the west, and never having met you in person, your voice feels like that of an old friend I've known forever. Your wisdom reaches me from the depths of the ocean and provides support whenever I need it, or simply an ear to listen. Having someone like you makes a tremendous difference in my life, and thank you for that.

I often pondered what led me to that breaking point within myself. My father's torn aorta was not enough to drive us apart, but moving to a new town caused all the lingering resentment to resurface and overwhelm my fragile world. As I stumbled, others mocked, yet you were the sole person who offered apologies on their behalf, provided explanations, and steadfastly remained by my side. I imagine that having a large family of your own caused setting aside judgment and focusing. However, as you rightly said, every family has their own unique dynamics and none of them are flawless. You're right, I had to navigate the path towards the lofty aspirations that everyone else desired, alone. Now, on this lengthy and solitary journey, you are the sole companion by my side. A genuine friend in times of need.

Throughout our year of conversations, we have delved into a myriad of topics. We've shared stories about the tiresome world of politics, although I must admit, I've never been keen on listening to such tales. We've intertwined these narratives with tales of heroism, both yours and others. Your classmates, girlfriends, sons, daughters, cats, and my dogs all found their place on our tongues as we breathed life into them, sometimes extending their presence longer than they truly deserved. Our words elevated our staunch friends and enemies and brought crashing down, as we meticulously crafted new lives for them, lives that they could be proud of during their second chance. And amidst it all, psychology seeped into our conversations like the finest wine.

We've discussed movies, and despite our slightly different preferences (which is no surprise, considering you live in America while I'm European), we've still found common ground. It's been great to compare our worlds, especially since my interests have often taken me to the West. It's been a true blessing to share so much with you and to have you share your life stories with me. I must admit, though, that you're a much better conversationalist than I am. I think there are various reasons for this, such as your profession and background. However, I can't help but feel that deep down, we have the same core values of humanity and progressiveness. Whenever we face challenges, we never give up. Instead, we tackle them openly and gracefully, even when others try to resist or abuse us. Our close friendship has developed to where it feels like we've known each other for a lifetime.

I want to remind you that your presence acts as a protective barrier against all the wrongdoings of others. Without you, things would be much worse. I understand you may not always feel this way, but it's important to acknowledge this truth. Sometimes, simple truths hold more significance than our emotions, especially when our minds can play tricks on us. And conversing until daybreak amidst the thorns that life dared to throw at us during the most unforeseen moments - now that's truly invaluable!

Stay humble and stay safe.

Sincerely,

Your Friend