The Hidden Power of the Handwritten Note

It is said that handwritten notes are both treasured and saved and they have a great impact. Four years ago today, my family received a handwritten note that had a great impact and changed our lives forever.

This handwritten note, only four sentences in length, still has impact and still sends chills four years later.

This handwritten note, with its brightly colored words and ending with a hand-drawn heart and lovingly expressive, XOXO, breaks my heart to read.

I sometimes feel survivor's guilt that I have it to re-read at my leisure when many others I've come to know, don't. This handwritten note, as instructed by the author, asks us to smile, remain strong, and continue to be the people the author has grown to admire, look up to, and hoped to one day emulate. But it's often hard, on occasion, to manage a smile and I'm often tired of being strong. I don't want to be admired or emulated by the author, I just want him back!

So plz don't be mad, smile, remain strong & continue to be the people I've grown to ADMIRE, look up to, and hoped to one day emulate.

The author of this handwritten note was my 22-year-old son, Devon.

This handwritten note, as you may have surmised, was the suicide note from Devon. Devon wrote it four years ago. He was right, I would ultimately forgive him. I prayed and had to realize his suicide was, as he wrote, his choice. I lost Devon that day, but I still have his words, his handwritten note. It is a letter from his heart that continues to touch mine.

This handwritten note is both treasured and saved and continues to have an impact. The handwritten note touches my heart; even while breaking it. The handwritten note brings me closer to my son, although he is far away and won't return. This handwritten note matters...and so did Devon! I will never see Devon again, but his words, his handwritten words are treasured and they let me know, each time I tearfully re-read them that I mattered to him; even on his final day.

This is the power of a simple handwritten note. In my case a suicide note, but it doesn't have to be your case and I pray it never is. My prayer and hope are it is simply a handwritten note expressing your emotion, appreciation, and care for a loved one.

I share my story in the hopes that you may write a handwritten note to a loved one and let them know you care about them and they matter. Let your handwritten note touch someone's heart, not break it. Let your handwritten note bring you closer to the recipient.?Let your handwritten note be received now, express your love and concern early and often. Let your handwritten note be a vehicle for more and deeper conversation and connection. They do make a difference. You make a difference. You matter and the recipient(s) of your note(s) matter! I encourage you to show your appreciation to the ones you love.

Appreciation can change a day even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary - Margaret Cousins

Write one today. Life is chaos, Be Kind.

If you're thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 across the United States at 1-800-273-(TALK) 8255