MY 13-YEAR-OLD SON DIED — AND A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE FUNERAL, HIS TEACHER CALLED AND SAID, “MA’AM, YOUR SON LEFT A LETTER FOR YOU. PLEASE COME TO THE SCHOOL IMMEDIATELY!”
My son Owen was lost in a tragic accident at the lake. My husband had taken Owen and some friends to a lake house, one of the usual yearly trips.
Owen slipped into the water. A storm had come up, and the current swept him away.
Search-and-rescue teams combed the water and the nearby woods but turned up nothing.
They searched for a long time without finding his body. The police explained that with a current that strong, survival was unlikely, and he was declared dead.
I could not imagine carrying on. I ended up admitted to the hospital for observation because I was in such a bad state.
My husband arranged the funeral. I was unable to do anything.
Even during the service, I could barely stay upright. My legs felt weak.
There was a hollow feeling inside me.
Weeks went by. I had only just begun to eat a little again.
Most days I sat in Owen’s room, looking at his things.
Yesterday, Mrs. Dilmore called. She was Owen’s science teacher; he adored her and loved her class.
She said:
“Good afternoon. I don’t know how to explain this… but I just found an envelope in my cabinet drawer. It’s from Owen… it’s for you, ma’am. Please come to the school immediately.”
I put on my cardigan and went to the school.
Mrs. Dilmore appeared pale. With trembling hands she offered the envelope and said,
“I don’t know how it ended up there. I only found it in my desk drawer today…”
Tears filled my eyes as I took it. On the front, in my son’s handwriting, were the words: “For Mom.”
My hands shook so much I could hardly open it.
Inside was a letter from Owen.
Reading the first lines took the breath from me:
“Mom, I knew this letter would reach you if something happened to me. You need to know the truth. THE TRUTH ABOUT MY FATHER AND WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON THESE PAST FEW YEARS…”
(I know you’re all very curious about the next part, so if you want to read more, please leave a “YES” comment below!)
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