Dear Jack,
It’s getting colder now. I thought I was doing better but the leaves are dying one by one and all I think about is death. Endings. My thoughts are so dark, like the days.
Seasons change and so do we. Yes, changes are in the air. You prepare to say goodbye to the leaves on the trees and the wildflowers in the meadow. Many birds, butterflies and other animals migrate or go into hibernation. It’s natural to feel sad but it's all By Design. Like the perennials, we all need to rest for a little while to be filled with life again. It's never goodbye. It’s always “I'll see you again.”
Love, Jack
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About this letter
This letter is part of Jack McAfghan: Letters From Rainbow Bridge. A reader writes that as autumn arrives and the leaves die one by one, all they can think about is death and endings, and that their thoughts are as dark as the days. Jack's reply looks to the seasons for comfort.
What Jack says about seasons
Jack points out that seasons change and so do we. Birds, butterflies and other animals migrate or hibernate, and perennials rest before being filled with life again. He says it is natural to feel sad, that it is all by design, and that it is never goodbye but always I will see you again.
Grief and the changing seasons
Shorter days and colder weather can make grief feel heavier. Getting outside in daylight, keeping a gentle routine and reaching out to someone you trust can help. If your thoughts turn very dark or you feel unsafe, please contact a mental health professional or a local crisis line.
