[ WP ] A terminally ill mother wrote several greeting cards to her daughter for the birthdays/anniversaries/life achievements that she wo n't be there for . Her daughter opening one of the cards .

Mei looked down at the envelope and noticed first the smudged `` M'' that had been written in the corner. This particular letter was sealed in a plain white envelope. There were no decorations, no artsy designs anywhere. Just her mother's stylistically symmetrical script: `` For when you need me the most.'' 
 
 Hands trembling as she turned the letter over to open the letter, Mei choked back the knot in her throat that accompanied the flush of emotions that pulled her in each direction. Tingling in her fingers for anxiety. A lump in her stomach, growing hotter for anger. The stretching and tugging of her heart for sadness. The mixture seemed to change, floating between extremes. But in spite of it all, Mei shed no tears. She was past that now. 
 
 The letter was thick, written on stock and carefully folded so that the precisely written words would not be creased. Droplets of dried water were clearly visible, but Mei's mother had been careful to write around them. Mei took a deep breath to start reading... 
 
 *To my greatest Joy, * 
 
 *I owe you an apology firstly, Mei. I did n't want to name you that, but your father insisted. He said it would help you through, be a reminder of ~~how much I loved you.~~ how much..w.. we loved you. He said it would remind you that no matter how far away or how long, I am with you always. I realize, writing this, that this sentiment does little to comfort you now, for when you need me the most. By now you've probably read many of these letters that I've spent years writing for you both before and after my diagnosis, and if you are even like me in the slightest, you'll find my words unsatisfying. You'll be angry and sad and bitter and you wo n't know which to choose, and that's not fair. * 
 
 *And it is n't Mei, is it. Life is so very unfair. You've read all these letters and, hopefully, gotten to know me a little better each and every time. I hope you have read these letters. But I, sitting here.... writing this particular letter I ca n't but feel so sad that I never had the chance to know you. I never had the chance to pick you up when you fell. I never had the chance to tell you boys are stupid when one broke your heart and that you deserve better. I never had the chance to tell you that sometimes it's okay that things are not going okay and that perseverance will make you stronger. Most importantly, I'll never have the chance to see you overcome the pain you must be feeling right now from God knows what. I'll never get to see you become a strong, independent woman who's not fearless, but understands that her fears and pains can be overcome. * 
 
 *I ca n't know what happened to you that you would need to take this letter out of that oak and teak box that your father made. Lying on this hospital bed, I ca n't help but cry knowing that one day you will need to read what I'm writing now and that it breaks my heart in a way that words can not describe. How much I want to reach through the page and hold you as I did the day you came into our lives, to take you into my arms and give you the warmth you deserve. * 
 
 *I know what you must be thinking, Mei. I know you must be thinking that I do n't understand, that I ca n't understand. I know you must be thinking that what we have, could have had, is cheapened through the page. I know that I will never know you and you will also never know me. I know you must be thinking that I'm not really your mother - that I'm just some words on a page. I know that there's very little I can do to convince you otherwise. I know that you must hate me. I do n't blame you. * 
 
 *But know, that I love you. I love you in ways you may not understand. For years I fought this disease so I could be with you. For years your father and I fought the future so we could be in your future. It was love that gave me the strength to fight, and it's love now that puts words to these pages. We may not have beaten it, but it was n't for lack of love or will. Life can be ever so unfair. * 
 
 *Mei. It's okay that things are not going to be okay. Boys are stupid, and he does n't deserve you. You are amazing and you deserve better. * 
 
 *Mei. You will get through this. You are strong, and you are brave. You are afraid, but you have the power and will to overcome it. You have my love. You have your father's love. You are, so loved. I promise you. That everywhere you look, all the people in your life, they love you, and you are, above all else, not alone. I am with you, here, in these pages. * 
 
 *Love always even in the after, * 
 
 
 *Your mother. * 
 
 
 *PS: Tell your father that I love him and that unicorns do n't wear shoes. * 
 
 
 
 
 Mei took great care to brush away the few tears that had fallen onto the letter from her cheek. Satisfied that she had dried the letter off, she gently tucked it into its envelope and looked up to the hospital bed. 
 
 `` Did. Did you read it?'' the voice was so meek, robbed of its deep tones the thick chest once gave it. 
 
 `` Yes.'' 
 
 `` I'm sorry I do n't know what to say to you. I hope her letter was enough. What did she say?'' 
 
 `` Enough. Just enough,'' Mei smiled, `` and that Unicorns do n't wear shoes. What is that supposed to mean, dad?'' 
 
 Mei's father laughed, but only briefly as he shook with shuddering coughs. Mei called over the nurse that was standing by, but Mei's father waved her off. 
 
 `` It's nothing. I can tell her she was wrong when I see her. Want me to pass anything along while I'm at it?'' 
 
 `` Uhm,'' Mei paused as she reached under the hospital bed covers to grasp her father's hand, `` I do n't hate her, not now, not once, not ever. Tell her that I do know her, more than almost anyone else in the world. And also'thank you'.'' 
 
 Mei's father smiled, a wide stupid grin, and then issued a sigh as his eyes closed. 
 
 `` She'd like that. She'll like that very much.''
