Woman missing late father-in-law kept sending texts to his number - then something heartbreaking happened

The passing of a loved one is one of the hardest griefs to handle. It‘s not just saying goodbye that hurts but having to go on and live without them pierces the heart. We have to find solace and ways to move on despite this grief. A woman named Katie (@katiehig92) shared in an Instagram thread how she had been coping with her father-in-law’s death. The woman had bid goodbye to her late father-in-law but couldn’t leave him out of the family. She would repeatedly update him with texts until something heartbreaking happened and she had to move on. 

The woman shared, “I used to message my late father-in-law with pictures and updates of the kids and just in times when I really missed him.” She explained that despite being separated from his son, she wanted her father-in-law in her life as he had been there with her since she was 15. She’d keep sending these updates to the late man until one day, she was forced to move on. “One day, the messages went through as ‘read’ the profile photo had changed. I was devastated,” the woman wrote. The late father-in-law’s number had been given to another user and Katie could no longer send updates and keep the man as an active part of her life. 

The changing of the phone number meant she had to stop sending the messages and accept not having her father-in-law around. It was a heartbreaking closure the woman needed and she had no choice but to emerge strong. People joined in the thread to share in the woman’s pain and many understood what these acts of sending messages meant. @fesshole shared, “After mum died, every few weeks I'd email her and tell her what we and her grandkids have been up to.” It was added that they kept sending these emails for almost 4 years after their mum’s passing. Recently, the mail came back as “undelivered,” as the mailbox was full. This too, meant the closing of a chapter. “Kinda upset, it was my way of not letting go,” they added. 

Several people shared how they used emails, phone numbers and other contact of their late loved ones to have a chance at communicating with them. The mere ability to text, send voice messages and other communication felt like the person was still there. @tuzzylou shared, “My mother's email provider said her account would remain open indefinitely as it was moved after her death to a free version. Within days it was inaccessible, then gone forever.” Moving on and living life after a loved one’s passing is one of the hardest things to do. In such cases, writing to them and talking to them are the only ways we can find comfort. However, the heartbreaking act of accepting their absence is what’s most important.