I began to think of the letters...well, for those who aren't spiritual, forgive this...but I think about the books of the Bible....they are letters. The Bible reads differentl y to me based on my level of need. I can read the same passage one time and hear it completely different at another time...based on how I feel - how I am struggling, or...how happy I am. So, this should be a book that will be read, and re-read...each time, a new and different need being met. That's how I envision it anyway. :)

I believe this will be an incredible resource for survivors in need of validation and a compassionate word. I look forward to recommending this book to the Survivor's Caucus once it has been published. I'll also be sending a letter for consideration as well.

Thanks for coordinating this Matt.

Leitha, this is what is so special; as Devin said earlier she could not possibly put everything she wanted to say into a few pages, you included religion and I wrote my letter in a different direction. Although our letters will be very different they will all be inspired by the authenticity of how we feel or have once felt throughout this journey.

James, I'm glad to hear it!

You've got mail! (in 3-7 business days)

I wanted to echo james' words of thanks. It was last night whilst I was painstakingly trying to write in a neat, legible fashion that I thought about the collection of letters rather than concentrating on my own. I have a 'chicken soup' book that I tend to dip in and out of..when my friend is feeling particularly low I take it around and let her borrow it till she doesn't need it any more.

This book, these letters, are going to be a lifeline and a companion. So thanks for creating it :) And thanks for letting us be a part of it.

I'm getting very excited about it. I'll be able to do all the payout and graphics myself, and am planning to use a lot of creative design. For example, some pages might be faintly printed on the background with the handwriting, while the printed letter is in an outline box set over it. I might even do a foreword collage of all the postal stamps from all the envelopes, showing the origins of letters from so many states, and England, and Canada (I wish Nadine were still around; I'd love an Australian letter!). Maybe even a few old collages from friends of mine that have exceptional messages. I hope this book will be a powerhouse of positive messages.

I can't wait to see it. It sounds awesome.

I love those ideas!!! Can't wait.

It sounds amazing, and I bet no one throws this book. LOL!

I finished my letter. Started it and finished it. I know I missed the deadline, and was starting to feel like I somehow failed all of you in doing so, all of you have helped me so much, who mean so much to me.

The truth is i was really feeling somewhat apprehensive over writing it, for many reasons, but I did it. Typically when I write something, I will comb over it, looking for mistakes. I will rewrite three times, to make sure the penmanship is just the way I want, the grammar perfect. I didn't do that this time. I wrote it, put it in an envelope, and sealed it up, before I even had time to doubt myself.

I am amazed at the relief I feel right now. It's this feeling of levity that is almost overwhelming. This has weighed on my mind and my heart for a while now. It has been so important to me, but I have feared it, and tonight was the first time that I felt worthy to actually do it. I am not sure why. I have had a pretty terrible day today. In fact this entire year has kind of been a hellish nightmare in so many ways. But I feel okay right now. And I don't know, the timing was right tonight. After a succession of various failures and countless days of being faced with what I consider to be my own shortcomings, I realized, all of a sudden, that I knew exactly what I wanted to say in my letter. When I stopped trying to think so hard, to figure out some perfect answer, some formula, I realized that what I have to say is worth something.

There is a decent chance that I'm about to cry myself to sleep. I can feel it coming on. I have had a horrible time, for a long time. I am not usually one for self pity, but lately I can't help feeling like I must have wronged someone in another life. I don't feel bad, though, I think it is just a mixture of this crazy feeling of relief coupled with the build up of the crappy several months that I have had to deal with, and it is all coming to a head right now. I don't know.

I'm sorry I am kind of all over the place right now. I finished my letter, is the point, and I wasn't sure I would even start it, so I guess this is one good thing for me to sort of focus on, right?

Sometimes I wish I could just be a "normal person" and sleep when it is time to sleep, and eat regularly, and not be crazy feeling all the time.... but come on, what fun would that be? Right?

Anyway, I finished the letter. I love you all.

Um...my letter is not done yet. Oh crap!! Am I too late?? I would still love to be included if that's possible!

Uh-oh, there is competition out there! Hurry up with the "Survivor's Chicken Soup" book!

http://www.safercampus.org/blog/?p=2713

good ideas seem to be like buses! Maybe can sue them..stealing idea :D

The problem with "Survivor's Chicken Soup"......

It's a "Dear Sisters" anthology.

Not all survivors are female.

Screw their book, ours will be so much better.

We're not sexist.

Note: when mailing, please be sure to use the address as indicated, with "Letters To Survivors Project, c/o Matt" as the recipient. Otherwise, your letter will be opened and read by our office manager--which is fine, unless you wanted your writing to be treated privately by me upon arrival.