I got your letter

So I figured it's time that I write back

I learned a lot the night that we first met

I learned that nothing heals if nothing hurts

I learned this standing on cold wood floors

With bright lights on my face

Wearing clothes I'm not all that comfortable in, but I act like I am.

And I'm putting on a face, and the door is open, and the room is full

And everyone is welcome, all kinds of people, all kinds of pain

All kinds of excitement and joy

And my heart is heavy, and my shoulders hang low

And I look up, and through everyone, I see you.

And your heart is heavy, and your shoulders hang low too

And we don't have to talk about it because we understand why

Here you showed me that I'm not alone

Here you showed me that nothing kills like anger

Nothing hurts like grief

Nothing robs you like being numb

Nothing lies like shame

Nothing heals like a song

And no one sings like you when you're trying to let me know

And nobody writes like you when you're trying to let it go.

I want you to know that I think of you

And I ask god why he would let someone like you go through the things that you do

And then I remember what you taught me

Standing on that stage and reading every page

That nothing heals if nothing hurts.

It has been the greatest honor and the most fulfilling purpose of my life to share this with you

"Let go letters" is just as much yours as it is mine

It is just as much weak as it is strong

It is just as honest as you have been with me

And it heals just as much as we have hurt.

There's no better place to feel than in a room like this

Thank you for showing up and for having the courage to let it go

You've inspired me to do the same, and

I hope that these songs bring you peace and understanding

You've been writing to me for four years now, so

I guess this is my letter back to you

Love, avery.