Illinois Valley News welcomes letters to the editor.
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‘Illinois Valley News’ encourages letters to the editor provided they are legible and not libelous or scurrilous. All letters must be signed, including name, address and telephone number. The latter need not be published, but will be used to verify authenticity. The “News” reserves the right to edit letters. Letters are used at the discretion of the publisher.
(Editor’s Note: Views and commentary, including statements made as fact are strictly those of the letter writers.)
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
This is a memory of something that really helped me as a kid and stayed with me for my teen and adult years.
When I was in 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th grades I had a lot of friends and I loved and trusted my mom and dad. However there was no one I could tell my problems, worries and thoughts to. I kept it all inside and it bothered me. I couldn’t tell Mom & Dad; they would tell me what to do or what to think. I didn’t want to be “told”. I couldn’t tell a friend; in a few days it would probably be told all over the school.
Then one day I made a friend. This friend couldn’t talk, couldn’t tell me what to do or reveal my secrets to anyone else. She was my Silent Friend. I stuffed some old jeans with rags and towels, added socks and a stuffed shirt and a head made from a pillowcase. My friend was the same size as me. I set her on a chair in my bedroom.
When I needed to figure something out or let something out I would sit on the floor in front of my friend and tell her all about it; even have a good cry if I needed it.
My silent friend helped me a lot to figure things out. I had to put my problems, feelings and thoughts into words. It made understanding my feelings and figuring out what to do a lot easier. Also, a good cry that no one knew about was wonderful.
My Silent Friend helped me even after she was taken apart . All through my teen-aged and adult years I can put my thoughts and problems into words. I can talk to my dog or write them down. It makes life so much easier to deal with.
I wanted to share this in hopes of making life easier, happier for today’s kids in this crazy world.
Betty Smith
Cave Junction