Alison Hitchcock wrote over 100 letters to a man she barely knew. They met at a yoga retreat and did not really connect until they were next to each other in a headstand and, oops, a simultaneous bodily function took over. Friendship sealed.
Alison, not one to cook meals, wanted somehow to cheer up Brian Greenley once he was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Several days after this promise to him, she sat down with a glass of wine and set to work. How did she even begin this task of cheering him up? The first decision was to avoid mentioning cancer at all. Seeing Alison talk about all this is a lesson in what cheerful determination can accomplish. Oh, yes, and the unquestionable power of letters!
What to say? What not to say? Where to start? What might go into that envelope besides your letter? Alsion has ideas that will captivate you.. It is all easier than you might imagine, and it is a gift that will keep on giving forever as patients re-read them and probably for generations down the line as children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, siblings all find these letters and revel in the beauty and charm of them.
Alison had no idea that this promise would lead to over 25,000 letters being sent to those living with cancer to help alleviate loneliness and isolation. Alison and Brian, after he was in remission, founded From Me to You to support others to write letters to reduce the impact of isolation that cancer can cause.
So often people undergoing cancer treatment see their friends pull away from not knowing what to say. Or the patients pull away from not wanting to be pulled into talking about cancer as the only topic of conversation. And, there you have an isolation that makes everything worse. These letters are an important part of any family history. I am sure that if you watch Alison in action you will want to run for the pen and paper, cuddle up with a glass of or a cup of, and write to any family and friends going through treatment. You can also write to strangers through From Me To You.
I have been doing it myself to strangers and friends, and I will tell you it is a pure-joy activity knowing that I have made someone facing harsh times smile or laugh out-loud.