Strong as Stone

Dear Friend,

The first time around, we awkwardly stood around you in your room, watching you silently as you put on your bravest face. We didn't know for whom you were brave. Was it for us, the intruders into your private moment of grief? Was it a mask you put on to fool yourself, to delay the inevitable setting in of the truth of your loss?

Or was it for her, the biggest part of your heart, that had left you forever?

I don't remember how you looked that day, because I didn't dare look at you. I was afraid you would see the helplessness on my face, to hear the meaningless words of condolences I never found the courage to say.

Today, a little after two years since that horrible day, we are once again gathered around you, forming an invisible little protective circle around you our friend, whose heart, or the pitiful remains of what used to be your heart, was shattered into pieces. None of us will ever understand.

Today you seemed like a stone to me. Through your grief you stand strong and brave as we timidly search for things to say to you. We end up stupidly blabbering on about flight tickets and phone numbers because none of us had the courage to go up to you and say,

"Cry if you want to, there are 8 shoulders here for you tonight."

So you didn't cry.

You might never hear us say such things to you, but do remember that this is what went through all our minds today.

You don't have to be strong all the time, you know. Everyone needs someone else sometimes, we know this is one of the times for you.

Keeping you in our prayers,

Group 77