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The Last Letter

In the moving tale “The Last
Letter,” a young woman named Lily is dealing with the death of her loving
brother Ben. Lily is moved to tears by Ben’s sincere letter that he wrote her
before his terrible accident. The narrative follows Lily as she learns to
honour Ben’s legacy and embrace life once more, travelling from extreme despair
to rediscovering hope and purpose. Discover themes of love, loss, and human
development in this heartwarming story of resiliency and memory.

There lived a young lady by the name
of Lily in a small community called Rosewood. Twenty-two-year-old Lily was
employed at a tiny bookshop. Her demeanour was pleasant and she smiled kindly.
Although she led a quiet life, she was deeply depressed, and not many people
understood this.

Lily started feeling depressed a few years back. Ben was the younger brother
she had. Ben was eighteen and a passionate guitarist. He was constantly
enthusiastic about the music that his band played. They had everything in common
and were very close. They used to converse for hours about their goals and
future plans.

Ben was on his way home from band
practice one chilly winter’s evening. It was snowing a lot. Lily was looking
forward to his return home. She had prepared his preferred hot chocolate and
placed it on the kitchen table, anticipating his arrival any moment.

But that evening, Ben never returned home. A call came through from the
hospital to Lily. Ben had been involved in a collision. She felt the news like
a kick to the gut. It seemed like everything was crumbling around her.

Lily went to the hospital right
away. The physicians informed her that Ben had not survived when she got there.
She had never known the kind of pain that ached in her heart. She was lost and numb.
On the table, the hot chocolate she had prepared for him was cold and
unfinished.

Ben’s funeral was a modest, private affair. To grieve his loss, the town came
together. Lily put on a brave front, but on the inside, she was broken. She was
sorely missing Ben. She could see him in every aspect of her existence. She
felt a great weight on her heart from the memories they had, the songs he used
to play on his guitar, and the photos they shot together.

Lily attempted to move on after a
few months, but it was difficult. It was hard for her to laugh or be happy. She
felt as though her days were empty. She worked long hours at the bookshop in
the hopes that it would take her mind off her suffering. But despite her best
efforts, the melancholy persisted.

One day, Lily discovered a tiny, dusty box tucked away in a corner while going
through old books at the bookshop. There were antique photos and letters
within. She found a letter in Ben’s handwriting while she went through the
belongings. A beat skipped in her heart. She opened the letter carefully.

The letter was dated one week before
Ben’s accident. It started with a pleasant, familiar tone.

“Dear Lily,

If you are reading this letter, it implies I am not available to offer it to
you in person. I wanted to write you a letter because I have certain things to
say that I might not have told you otherwise.

First and foremost, I’d like to express my affection for you. You’ve always
been my strongest supporter and best friend. I understand things have been difficult
lately, and I apologise for any concern I have caused you. But please know that
no matter what happens, I will always be in your heart.

I have been thinking a lot about our
future. I know we have a lot of aspirations and plans. I want you to keep
pursuing your dreams, even if I am not there to share them with you. You have
so much promise, and I believe in you wholeheartedly.

I want to ask you something, Lily. If anything happened to me, I’d like you to
promise me something. Promise me you will find happiness again. Promise me that
you will live your life fully, without letting melancholy hold you back. I know
it’s difficult to think about, but I want you to be happy no matter what.

Thank you for being the best sister
anyone could hope for. I appreciate every minute we’ve shared. I hope you can
take solace in knowing that I am in a better place and will always be watching
over you.

With love, Ben.”

 

Lily’s eyes welled with tears as she
read the letter. She sensed Ben’s presence in every syllable. His message was
clear: he wanted her to be happy, even when he wasn’t present.

After reading the letter, Lily felt a glimmer of hope. She realised Ben’s wish
for her was more than just moving on; it was also about finding a means to keep
his memories with her. She needed to honour his memory by rediscovering joy in
her life.

Lily tried to get back in touch with
her own hobbies and interests in the days that followed. As something she had
always wanted to attempt, she began attending art classes. She started using
painting as a means of expressing her feelings and honouring Ben with love
rather than grief.

She started planning book readings and neighbourhood gatherings at the
bookshop. Sharing her passion for books with others gave her a feeling of purpose.
Lily took solace in witnessing individuals unite via common tales as the
bookshop transformed into a welcoming and intimate space.

A little girl entered the store one
day, searching for a book. She had a little guitar case with her. After
striking up a conversation, Lily discovered that the girl was a budding
musician who shared Ben’s passion for music. Lily connected with Ben through
the girl’s excitement as they discussed their favourite songs and musicians.

Lily discovered that while the grief of losing Ben did not entirely go away, it
did lessen with time. She started to find joy in the small things and smile
more frequently. She sensed Ben’s presence in the love he left behind and in
the memories they had shared.

 

Ben’s favourite area by the river
was visited by Lily on the anniversary of his death. Bringing a bouquet of his
favourite flowers, she took a seat and thought over the note he had sent to
her. She told him about the changes in her life and how much she missed him,
talking to him as though he were actually present.

Lily experienced a sense of calm as she left the riverbank. She was resolved to
live her life in a way that paid tribute to Ben since she knew he would always
be a part of her. As he had desired, she carried on pursuing her goals, finding
joy, and showing kindness to others.

 

Lily underwent a journey of growth
and healing. Though it never completely vanished, the melancholy served as a
reminder of her love for Ben and became a part of her story. And she did it
with hope in her heart and a spirit that carried her brother’s memory with her
at all times.