Hey, Ben...
I know this isn't the message any of us anticipated for this moment in your college experience, but I want you to know right now just how proud of you I am.
I know you're not feeling very proud of yourself, and not very happy overall, but I still want you to hear this.
Your struggle with anxiety has taken a serious turn over the last several months, and it has become clear you need help beyond what we can give. That's not something any parent wants for their child, or any person wants for themselves, but I promise it's OK. I really do believe it's a matter of medication and therapy.
I really believe you still have a bright future ahead. I really am confident you are going to find happiness again, and someday see the point of it all again. I am here for you through all of it, no matter what it takes, and not just me, but Mom, Jonathan, all of our family, everyone at church, everyone who knows you.
We are never going to let you down or leave you alone.
Just don't give up.
But I want to focus right now on how proud of you I am.
I know that might be a surprising thing to say in the midst of what is going on, but I mean it.
You are enduring a period of acute suffering, and there is no other way to describe it.
But in the midst of this suffering, you have consistently told me and Mom the truth about what is happening, so we could understand exactly what you are facing. You have never left us in the dark. You have never hidden the truth or lied to us. You have never shielded us from the difficult reality for fear of disappointing us. You have never sugarcoated it or tried to keep up a false front.
You have given us the most important gift in any relationship: the truth.
We are so thankful to you for telling us the truth, even when it is hard, even when it isn't what you or we wanted, even when it has forced us all to change our plans.
I am so proud of you for being honest and making sure your loved ones know what it going on in your life.
Please don't ever change this approach in any of your relationships.
Be a person who tells the truth, even when it's hard, and even when the truth changes your next steps.
We will get through this together, whatever these next few months might bring. We are with you, and you can always count on us.
We love you, son, always.
