I just want you to know that I am okay. I know you’re scared right now, and you feel invisible and unheard, but I see you. And I hear you, right here and right now. It may seem like no one cares, but I do. I just want you to know that even though you’re surrounded by sick people and dysfunction, you make it out!

Oh, how lonely, scared, lost, and exhausted you will be at times, but do not give up! You and I know the heart you have, and one day not far off you will find forgiveness. Sure, its gonna be awful at times, and you’re gonna suffer and have to unlearn so much, but you are going to learn so very much too!

I know it’s not fair, Stevie. You don’t deserve this. You don’t deserve all the things that happened to you. I wish I could say it is going to get easier right away, but its not. In fact, it is going to be tough for a long time. But I promise you, it will all work out. It is going to actually get better than you can even imagine right now. Your suffering will not be in vain. You know that you are a good person, and a champion deep down inside. Oh, the battles that you are going to fight, and win!

If people could even understand the things that you will face, the struggles that you’ll endure, and the triumphs you will find. I am so very proud of you. You are a great human being. Good people and good love are in store for you one day. God has his hands on you, and will not leave your side. Some days it will feel like you are all alone, and other days it will feel as if you simply do not have the strength to endure. But you will persevere. You will rise, and fall, and rise, and fall again. It is not some simple task to overcome what is ahead for you. But you will. And with that heart of yours, with that spirit of understanding and empathy, you will go on to help so many people just by being your authentic self. You are perfect just the way you are, and one day not too far off you will find peace, forgiveness, and atonement. I wish that I could tell you not to do something, or to change something in your life to alter your life’s trajectory, but I can’t. For without everything happening just the way it did, I wouldn’t be here to write you this letter. And it all makes for one helluva story to tell. So buckle up, keep your faith and hope alive. I’ll be right here waiting.

Stay true to yourself kid,

Herb.