Roy’s Letter: Navigating Forgiveness and Relationship Closure
Dear Celestial,People around here think that I found spiritual salvation in prison. But prison is a haunted house of mirrors; it was impossible for me to find the **absolute truth** there. When I try to explain this, they ask about my **religious identity**, but they know I consider myself a man of God. I can’t break it down to them because I can’t break it down to myself. Who would believe that my **emotional breakthrough** happened in the holy dark of our bedroom?I’m ashamed of the **domestic conflict** with Andre. I swear I never hurt another human like that. Even while **incarcerated**, I never brutalized anyone. I get a sharp pain thinking how close I came to a **fatal mistake**. Dre didn’t fight back hard, which made me feel like I wasn’t worth the effort. Maybe I wanted you to see his **pain and suffering** because it didn’t seem like you cared about mine. I felt **forsaken**—that’s the only word for it. When you reached for the phone to call the police, I hoped you’d “fire” it. I was ready to die.I used these same hands to sign the **divorce settlement papers** your uncle Banks drew up. Davina is a **notary public**, so you will see her name as well. I know this **legal separation** is the right thing, but I hated seeing my signature on that line. We tried. I guess that is all the **closure** we get.Sincerely,
Roy
**PS:** The tree? Did it survive the storm?
Celestial’s Response: Healing After Heartbreak
Dear Roy,Seeing your **handwritten letter** feels like a brief encounter with a friend I may never see again. When you were away, **long-distance communication** made me feel close to you, but now these letters remind me of our **emotional distance**. I hope that one day we can find **reconciliation** and get to know each other again.
## **Georgia’s Letter: Choosing Communion Over Traditional Marriage**
Now that I have the **legal documents**, you probably think that Andre and I will be on the next bus to the **justice of the peace**, but we don’t feel the need for a **marriage license**. My mother, his mother, even strangers—they all want to see me in a **designer wedding dress**, but Dre and I like the **relationship satisfaction** we have, just the way we have it.At the end of the day, I don’t want to be anyone’s wife. Not even Dre’s. For his part, Dre says he doesn’t want a **life partner** who doesn’t want the title. We’re living our lives together—a **spiritual communion**.Thank you for asking about Old Hickey. We had a **certified arborist** out last week who told us that you can calculate the **age of a tree** using just a measuring tape and a **growth rate calculator**. According to the **tree care expert**, Old Hickey is about 128 years old. They say he has another century in him, assuming no one comes after him with an axe.And this is the news: I am having a baby. I hope you will be happy for our **growing family**. I know it is painful, and I haven’t forgotten our past **fertility journey** and what we went through. It may be unreasonable, but will you offer a **prayer for a healthy pregnancy**? Will you pray every day until she is born?
Always,
Georgia
Roy’s Letter: Embracing a Blended Family and New Beginnings**
Dear Celestial,Don’t laugh, but I’m the one heading to the **civil ceremony**. Davina and I aren’t planning for a **newborn baby**, but I would like to try my hand at **remarriage**. You say you aren’t cut out for **married life**, but I disagree. You were a supportive spouse when conditions were favorable and for a long time when they were not. You deserve more **self-respect** than I ever gave you.As for me, I’d like to be a father, but Davina already has a son, and that **blended family dynamic** is currently unhappy. She doesn’t want to start over with **infant care**, and truthfully, as much as I used to fantasize about my own “Trey,” I don’t want to jeopardize my **current relationship** over a dream that may not fit me anymore. I wish I could be like Big Roy and provide **step-parent adoption** support, but he is an adult. If you need a child to stay together, then how “together” are you? That’s her **relationship advice**, and she is probably right.Of course I will pray for you, but you make it seem like I’m a preacher! I’m only focused on **mindfulness and spiritual healing**. I have found a small plot of **sacred ground** by the stream. Do you remember that spot? I go out there early in the morning…
Roy’s New Chapter: Entrepreneurship and Inner Peace
…and listen to the wind play that bridge music while I think or pray. Everyone knows that this is my **morning routine and meditation** practice. Occasionally, I invite one or two to come along. Big Roy has joined me, and sometimes Davina. But mostly, it’s me alone with my own **mental health** and my own memories.And speaking of heads, Big Roy and I have officially launched a **small business**. We have a **top-rated barbershop** called *Locs and Lineups*. You know I always had that **entrepreneurial spirit**. Picture a **traditional barbershop** complete with a vintage pole, but upgraded with **modern grooming amenities** and **premium hair services**. We’re making decent **passive income**—not quite *Poupées* luxury brand levels yet—but I’m content with our **business growth**.My prayer for you is for **inner peace**, which is something you have to actively create. You can’t just find it (those are **words of wisdom** from my biological father, whom I visit most Sundays—he’s dealing with **elderly care** issues in there, and it is hard to watch).But mostly, my **quality of life** is good, only it’s a different type of fulfillment than I originally planned. Some days I get antsy and start talking to Davina about **relocating**—pulling up stakes and searching for **real estate in Houston**, **New Orleans**, or even **Portland**. She humors me, but when I’m done, she smiles because we both know I’m not going anywhere. This is **home sweet home**. This is where I am.Sincerely,Roy.