Haley Blackburn

Dear Sue Monk Kidd,

Your inspiring tale, The Secret Life of Bees, has moved me so. Actually it was Lily who had the most affect on me. The courage and strength that she put forth amazed me. Never have I had this strength inside me. I always am the weaker of my friends and family. Every day is a struggle because inside I can be hurt easily, and it puts me down. Sometimes I will try to act as if nothing is wrong, but really that can be harder then anything else. Longing to be courageous and strong, I read on finding out simple things in life matter. Feeling insecure in life can have strange effects on you. It's like I can't catch the thread that contains strength and courage because it keeps on slipping right through my fingers. Grasping courage and strength seemed impossible for me!

Turing one page caught my breath. New events like Lily falling in love, May's death, and learning about Deborah were all taking place and I didn't know if I could keep up. So, I let myself go into the story and act as if me, weak me, could play the part of Lily. She had become my dearest hero inside and out.  I read as much of your book as possible. I started to wonder. Can I even pretend to play the part of Lily? I started to consider the way I had been living my life. Do I like who I have become and if I don't how do I change? This amazing book taught me that hope, courage and strength are characteristics I have learned because of it.

Whilt' I continued to read, I experienced the feelings of Lily and how well she sometimes handled things. This encouraged me even more. I dearly wanted to be able to do this. I finally got the courage and tried it. To my surprise it was quite easy when you got the hang of it.  All my friends look on at me in deep honest surprise. They knew I was different and was no longer keeping my feelings inside. I finally let go and loved everything about it

Lately, I have been a new person in my heart and mind. I still have problems. I can't possibly learn to change my ways in a month or two. It may take awhile, but I’m willing to wait! Right now there is nothing more in the world that I would like to have then the strength and courage to keep me on my feet.  I want to live my life to the full potential that's possible and never let something import.<:mt pass me by. I want to believe when another problem faces me I can stand up to it and be able to face it off. Everything inside me wants to have the whole world to see that I can really be that person that you see every day and not some kid that can't manage her own power and feelings. People know I have more power than a lot of people, but they assume that I just don't know how to put it into good use. Now I hope they see that I can do it, and no one can change that part of me again. I will be like a "stone wall" that can never be broken down. May's wall will forever be a part of me as like it was with Lily.

Sincerely,
Haley Blackburn