Letter to a Well-Known Stranger

You don’t know my name.  That’s okay, because I don’t know your first name (or those of your two teenage daughters) either.  But I know your family.  And I want you to know that I think of you and your girls every time I think of your wife.  And I do know her name.  I think of her ever day. 

I can’t say that your daughters and I grew up together.  I can’t even say we were friends.  But I can say that I see those girls’ faces ever day in my memory, in my mind, and in my heart. 

All these years, we’ve lived just a few blocks away from each other.  I drive by your house on a daily basis.  You and I exchanged a glance just the other day as you walked your dog.  I remember when you got that dog.  Your daughters were so happy.  I remember watching your youngest’s eyes sparkle as she picked up that tiny ball of fur.  The first time I met your dog was at a Girl Scout event.  And no, this isn’t about the dog. 

Girl Scouts was the only reason I ever knew your wife.  I only wish I had been old enough to get to know her better. 

I wish I could tell you about how great a person she was.  I wish I could recount specific anecdotes and tell you stories.  But as I was so young and naïve, all I can remember is how nice a grown-up your wife was.

I can still recall her smile perfectly.  The few times I did see her, she always had a smile on her face, even towards the end.  She was so kind, and the strength in her character shone through her smile. 

Cancer is an evil thing.  It snatches the best people away from this earth before anyone else is ready.  It took your wife away from you.  It took your daughters’ mother away from them.  It’s not fair that such a wonderful, beloved woman was ripped from you and your family. 

I want you to know that your wife changed my life.  I wear a wristband ever day in her honor.  I think of her daily.  Some time before her death, my own mother and I attended a two-day seminar/class about breast cancer.  Up until then I knew nothing about this deadly, relentless killer.   When I learned what happened, I mourned a woman I hardly knew.  But I promised myself I would never forget her.  She was and still is the only person that I, personally, have ever known to be touched by this terrible illness.

I have always wanted to tell you that your wife is still very much remembered.  I think today is that day.

I don’t know what her hopes and dreams for life were.  But she found love, she was able to bring your beautiful children into this world.  She was a generally kind person.  And before she left this physical realm, know that she changed my life. 

We will never know what your wife could have done.  But we can see the potential in your children.  They have their whole lives ahead of them to do magnificent things and realize their dreams. 

You may be wondering at this point why I’m telling you all this.  I don’t know where you and your kids are in life right now.  But I suppose I just hope that you can rest assured with the knowledge that not only your wife’s family and close friends still think of her.  I still do.   She lives on in our memories, and her spirit will always live on in our hearts.   She changed my life, and I will never forget her.