Dear Erica,
What is left of my heart is in this letter, and if only it were as easy as to give you this letter, I would. I never knew happiness until I was with you. I shared with you my mind, body, heart, and soul. We shared a deep feeling that simply cannot be put into words. We shared our lives together; through family, our dreams, passions, goals in life, through love.
The love in my heart for you will never change. I was told that time heals everything. I have come to believe time just makes things a little easier to deal with. However, the truth is, I still dream of you, I still look up at the stars wishing you were near me. I still look out the window hoping you will pull into the driveway. I check the caller ID ... just in case.
Most of all, I pray that you will accomplish your dreams with strength and pride and honor. I still love you and want you to have the best that life has to offer. I just wish I were still a part of that life. I never knew that someone could ever hurt as much as I do. What scares me is I am sure the pain in life gets worse. I guess I just want you by my side to ease it. You said I have hurt you in a countless ways, in ways I promised you would never be hurt. But not realizing I was doing so in ways I never knew ,or would ever do. It is only worth mentioning because it has not shaken my love for you. I want to believe in forgiving and forgetting. If you would only forgive me.
If only I knew the words to say, that I know I could have said, that would have kept you with me. Countless times, I have sought to find them, and yet still they remain unknown to me. Even if I could find them now, is it too late? Even though you moved out so quickly. I know only a short time has passed, but for me it seems only yesterday that we were laughing and holding hands, sneaking kisses and planning our lives. I know you were scared, so was I. You are probably scared still, I know I am. I wish I had you to comfort me, I wish I could comfort you as well. If only I had not been so selfish, and too hard on you.
There are so many things I wish I had not done, had not said, and at the same time, so many things I wish I had. I wish I knew the words to say to tell you how I feel, I'm certain in my heart that there is something, or was, something I should have said, and if I had I could be holding you now instead of writing this, a letter I hope you‘re reading. I know it would have been hard, but the more I think about it, the more I know we could have made it.
I loved you and the boys so much then, and still do to this day. You and the boys brought great joy to me. It would not have mattered what we had to struggle through, we could have made it ... and wouldn’t the struggle have been better then the separation? My heart tells me that it would have. At least then, we would have been together in our dispute.
My deepest and sincerest apologies to you Erica, Gordon, Brandon, to your mom Terry, and to the rest of your family, for being the mean person I am not. In addition, for the frustration and anger I may have, or have caused. Moreover, not being always being the kindhearted person, I really am, that you and your family came to see and trust. I have not only disgraced myself, but my own family as well, for my words and actions. Nevertheless I shall suffer the punishment I have dealt myself. . . .
But, if you ever need me, I'll there. . . . Please keep me in a special place in your heart ... that's where you'll stay in mine.
Sincerely.
Forrest