Dear Eric,


	First off I would like to say that I am very sorry to hear the bad news about your grandfather. I'm sure the pain is fresh in your heart so I won't stagnate this letter on that. I am writing this letter because I want you to know that I empathize with how you must feel and I can understand some of what you are going through. 

	I lost my grandfather two months ago, I can say that when my Mom had told me that he had passed away I was devastated. I decided to hide my pain for my mother's sake because I considered losing a father much more difficult than losing a grandfather. I was wrong in ways I cannot explain, it was an ignorant idea to think that holding in the pain I felt would some day come in handy. Pain will stay for as long as it is kept, and it will continue to hurt until it is released.

	So I urge you with all of my heart Eric, please do not make the mistake I made by holding in the pain I felt. Understand that your family, friends, and especially your mother will be there to hear you out with anything you need to say or let out. The worst thing you could possibly do now is to keep your emotions hidden from view to keep a strong outward appearance. Its just not worth it.

	The last thing I will say is about the saying that you hear all the time in movies and stories, and that is “a person never is gone as long as they are remembered”. Truer words are rarely spoken. Keep the memories you shared with each other with you forever and keep the things he taught you in your heart and mind for the rest of your life.

Sincerely and truly yours,


Andrew Liebowitz



PS: Laughter and smiling are great ways to alleviate the stress, but they don't replace letting the pain out. And you won't truly be over your loss until the pain is gone.