Hi, RAOC. Three weeks ago, I lost my high school best friend.

[Optional back story; you can go straight to the part after the break] Daryl had been in remission from stomach cancer, just resting at home and trying to regain his strength after his radiation treatments. One afternoon, he had difficulty breathing, was rushed to the ER, tested negative for Covid, was intubated, then just slipped into unconsciousness and couldn't be revived.

We'd actually had a falling out for several years and only reconciled 5 years ago. He let me back into his inner circle and I was one of the few people who knew about his cancer. Looking back, this was a precious gift he gave me because I got to visit him as much as I could when he underwent surgery to remove the malignant tumor. When I could, I'd spend all afternoon in his hospital room and hang out with his boyfriend and sisters. That was in March 2020 just before lockdown. (I stopped coming when his docs said no more visitors.) Because they let me visit, even though Covid was already making headlines, I didn't have any regrets when he died. I'm so very grateful for this.

Though we weren't best friends anymore at the time of his death, we were still close in that non-clingy way of adult friendships. Add to that how inseparable we were in our youth and well, this loss is unspeakably huge and heavy. I still don't have the words to describe the Daryl-shaped hole in my life.

I lost Daryl so suddenly and so soon. And now I am learning more about grief every day.

So, I thought I'd make this request (more of an invitation, I suppose) for anyone who has lost someone and woud like to talk about them to a stranger. Send me a card/postcard and tell me about your deceased loved one. A family member, a friend, a partner, a pet. Share anything you'd like, and may you feel a wee bit lighter after writing.

My DMs are also open but I have to say I'm very bad at them.

I'm happy to send a postcard in return, but please note that my post office has a list of countries currently serviced. As long as you're in one of those countries, I'll send you something back.

Thank you for reading. Hug your family and tell your friends you love them. ❤️