Written by: Alyson Terry
Dear Molly,
I won't ask if you remember the events that helped me to gain the strength to write this. By this time, I'm certain you've grown into a beautiful young lady and have made us all very proud. The reasons behind this letter are simple. You, like any child, have a right to know about your father. I know it's been hard for you, I know you've struggled as you didn't understand how to continue loving someone you didn't know very well and remembered less. Stephen Cunningham, your father, and I met when we were both rather young. He was handsome and charming and knew how to treat every girl as though she was a lady. But, with me, he always acted as though I was the most important thing in his life. He listened to me, encouraged me, helped me even when there were times I didn't realize I needed it. He behaved as though all that I did was special and significant. These are my memories of him, of what we shared. Everything was built on trust, cooperation, teamwork. This was our marriage, what it was at the beginning, how it remained. When you were born, there was never two happier people alive anywhere. He wanted to give you and teach you everything that was good in life. If he could, he would have sheltered and protected you from any unnecessary pain. He could not have known that he wouldn't always be there. I know you've felt alone at times, I know you must miss him, but not understand why. I hope now you realize that he was always with us, helping us with the most important choices. I know he would have approved of Baloo, of Kit, to be there for you, to help me watch out for you. Sometimes I wonder if it was just chance and not fate that led us here, for this life, with all of it's shortcomings, all of it's beauty. I hope every moment of every day that comes, you will someday find someone like your father, that the models of kindness and courtesy that have been played out before you will guide you in your choice. I loved your father with everything in me. I love him now, and always. We will both be forever in your future, just as we have been in your past. I wish you all happiness, my heart is with you. Please remember this, so that you never have to face the pain of forgetting.
Your mother, your friend
Rebecca Cunningham
