“I’m not going to pretend to understand what is happening in your mind. The pain, the anger. I don’t blame you for recoiling into yourself, for keeping everyone - especially me - at a comfortable distance. No one expected this. And, I realize this was probably your worst fear that has now come to be true. All I can say is that I’m sorry and be here to support you in any way possible. If space is what you need, I’ll give you that. If it’s time, you can take that, too. I just need you to know it’s hard watching you cope with this. It breaks my heart to see you cry, to know that you’re afraid to be close to anyone now. I feel helpless because there is nothing I can do to change this. I can’t make it all go away. I can’t alter this cruel reality or take your pain away. Oh, god, how I would love to spare you the heartache and emptiness I can only imagine you feel. Please understand that I will not give up on you. You are not “damaged goods,” nor are you as unlovable as you believe. I have come to realize this will probably change you and perhaps make you view the world in a different light. But that doesn’t matter to me. I will be here through it all. I will love you until my last breath, and even thereafter.”