Hi everyone, welcome to thanks for being here, a short weekly pod to remind us of the many essential

and beautiful ways we affect one another. Every Sunday I'll read a submission from a listener

of Kelly Corrigan Wonders, could be wedding vows or about

mitzvah toast, a eulogy or retirement speech.

We believe this is probably the loveliest way to tap into our better selves and remember our highest values.

We encourage you to share this podcast each week with one person you love, maybe someone

you miss and need to bring closer,

someone you want to feel your appreciation or admiration or both.

This is thanks for being here is from a listener named Lisa Redfern.

Dear Kelly, I have been loving your short thanks for being here

dedications from listeners.

Lately I've been thinking so much about where I was in my life when I wrote the

2013 letter below.

At the time I had just decided, after 12 years of trying to become a mother through natural

means and then four adoption attempts that I'd let go. Let it rest and accept that the dream

would not come true. Some dreams just don't. I thought I'd share with you that letter I

wrote in 2013 to the child I never had as a way of getting

some closure after 12 years of trying.

After I typed it up, I hand wrote it and took it to my little sister's house and we made a fire and sat across from each other and I read it to her through heaving sobs and then we burned it.

About five months after writing to the child I'd hoped for, but never had, I met a sweet man with two

small sons, eight and ten, and fell in love with all of them at once and was able to at least be a stepmom to them

for the last almost 11 years.

...