Taya Kyle is a mother of two from Texas. Her husband, Chris Kyle, was a US Navy Seal known as the American Sniper. He was killed in 2013.
Dear Taya:
There’s so much I could tell you that you’re going to experience—joy beyond your wildest dreams, and a grief so terrible you’ll be sure it will break you.
I wish I could keep you from the pain, but life isn’t like that.
When you’re in your early twenties, you’ll meet a man who will change your life. His name is Chris Kyle. He’ll be strong, physically and emotionally, with the gentlest voice. He’ll have a tremendous smile, and a sense of humor that will match yours. The two of you will fall madly in love and decide to spend the rest of your lives together.
Chris is a United States Navy SEAL. He believes in God, Country, and Family, just as you do. He’ll serve four tours in Iraq. Even so, he’ll find some way of being by your side when you give birth to two children, a perfect boy and a perfect girl.
You’ll be so proud of him as a father and as a war hero. But every time he leaves for deployment, it will be a challenge. Every time you say good-bye to him you’ll fear the worst.
Then, finally, he’ll come home. Things will seem . . . perfect. Until one day, one horrible, terrible, very long day, the worst will happen when you least expect it.
It’s not going to be easy. In the end you’ll reach deep inside yourself to find the strength to carry through.
Try to remember these things as you go through that journey:
You like to be independent, but you will need help. And getting help does not make you weak.
At some of the most important times in your life, you will fight against fate. You won’t be able to accept that you are on a path that will eventually lead you to happiness. But trust that things will work out.
Like a lot of women, you know how important your friends are. Go to them. Hold their hands. In your moments of despair, a friend’s hand on yours will get you through the worst of it.
Last, but not least, enjoy every moment you can. When the dark days come, many wonderful moments . . . those will all seem dead and empty to you. It will take practice, and even hard work, to find the joy sometimes.
Sometimes you will think you can’t take it another day. But if you hang in there, one step at a time, you will be able to accomplish more than you ever imagine.
Good luck, Taya. May God bless you, always.
Taya