I'm bawling...Oh I haven't cried from a writing like this in so long.

(I have Francis to blame for this one!! 😜😭)

Dear Monica,

My deepest condolences. I don't know what to say and just suffice to say, I'm a mom -- and I don't know what it's like to lose a child, and like this. Your courage, your love for Avery shines in how you put her work together with the other parts inside that showed us who she is.

That's why I'm crying -- I see her, and oh, she's magnificent, she's beautiful. I want to hug her and tell her -- you are accepted and we are in awe of your beauty! Shine! Tell this world to f--k off -- okay, sorry, a little anger there, because I'm also angry; how could this world be so ugly to not let our Avery's feel at home and peace being themselves. Why this ending?

I LOVE her story. Her writing is enrapturing -- and I so wanted to know, "what next?"

As - what next about you Avery?

Our condolences won't ease the pain nor remove your grief. But we stand by you -- as you release your pain in your writing -- and thank you for being so brave and vulnerable to share her and you with us.

I'm forever moved and changed by this writing. I understand now why Francis wrote what he did -- we must all keep Avery alive - forever.

Still in tears,

~natalie~