Please Don't Shed Tears

Please Don't Shed Tears

From: jack@zany.com
To: undisclosed recipients

My dear friends,

Please forgive me for the impersonal nature of this letter, but time is
short and in this age of computers e-mail is the easiest and quickest
method of contacting you all. I realise that the content of this letter
will shock you and I must apologise for dropping this news on you like
this.

You see this is my final opportunity to give you the openness and
honesty that you all deserve. I trust that you will think no less of me
for concealing the truth from you all over the past few years, but I
did not wish to burden you good people with my problems. I hope you
will understand.

The truth I have kept hidden from you all is of my long-suffering pain
from an illness that is now about to overwhelm me. I have fought -- and
fought hard and with courage might I add - against this relentless pain
that eats away at my very soul like some parasitic worm. I have grown
so weary of this fighting that, inevitably, the fight has become
surrender. I have lost the battle and death is no longer as far along
life's road as it seemed many years ago. Death is not the vile notion
for me any longer, and I would ask you all to consider this fact when
thinking of my fate. I am departing this world full of optimism for my
arrival in the next, so please do not shed any tears for me. Your
friendships were something very special to me and I thank you all from
the depths of my heart for your loyalty. Rest assured that none of you
could have helped me more than you unknowingly did. I take these fond
memories with me to my grave.

Believe me when I tell you that mental depression causes pain. Mental
depression causes suffering. Mental depression can kill. I may be
taking the easy option but this way I am killing the depression that
has caused me so much pain and suffering. It is my choice that it ends
this way. I will be happier now. Goodbye my dear friends.

God bless you all,
Jack.

P.S. If you wish to send condolences then use my usual e-mail address,
jack@zany.com. As you can gather, a reply will not be forthcoming.