Dear Anonymous

You have visited
all our lives from time to time.  You
come shrouded in the perceived safety of anonymity to deliver your comments of dissatisfaction
and dishonor.  Your words find a way into
the comment section of blogs, websites or get delivered by mail without a
return address.

To those of us who
receive your painful words we know you struggle with things other than the
thoughts we express.  You struggle with
your own fear.  This is the kind of fear
that has prevented you from sharing your own feelings in an honest face-to-face
conversation with another person.  Somewhere
someone may have rejected your opinion. 
If this happened to you, I am sorry. Imagine what could happen if you
did not live in the prison of our own doubt and fear – we might even enjoy each
other’s company.

I remember the
first time you wrote to me. I went away wounded from your one-sided assault.  This wounding no longer takes place in me because
over the years, I have learned to pray for you and bless you.  I did this, not because my life or opinion is
more valuable than yours.  I did this
because this is the only way I have found to not live my life inside your
prison. Dear Anonymous, recently your wrote to me again, and as before, I chose
bless you.