Two Boxes of Letters of Mutual Sadness and a Mutual Quest to Find Joy During Troubled Times

Those pandemic letters gave me the biggest reflection that changed my outlook: sadness is mutual, and the quest to find joy is mutual too.

I recently moved out of my dear cabin, a place filled with countless memories. When I was packing my belongings, I also gathered a significant number of handwritten letters I received during the peak of the pandemic. These letters were more than just pieces of paper; they were fragments of people's lives, encapsulating their deepest emotions during a troubling time.

While I started re-reading some of the letters, they took me back to those moments, vividly painting the struggles and hopes that defined that period. One letter described their parents in the hospital, desperately searching for hope in a Vancouver hospital amidst the chaos and uncertainty. The anguish and anxiety in their words were palpable.

Another letter spoke of profound loneliness as their family was away, leaving them to navigate the isolation and fear that came with the pandemic. The raw emotion in their writing made me feel their solitude deeply.

When I flipped through the pages of one more letter, someone else talked about death in their family and the arduous journey of trying to find joy again. Their pain was evident, but so was their resilience and hope for a brighter future.

One letter was from a nurse struggling to find their worth after enduring immense pressure in healthcare. Their story highlighted the sacrifices and challenges faced by frontline workers, painting a picture of both dedication and hardship.

Another letter came from a university student trying to find joy under the immense pressures of study and dealing with their loneliness due to the pandemic. Their struggle to balance academic responsibilities with emotional well-being was a common thread during those times.

There was one surprising moment that stood out to me vividly. I received some letters in my cabin with just the address "Gurdeep Pandher, A cabin in the Yukon, Canada." To my positive astonishment, it seemed that Canada Post had started recognizing this trend and included my cabin in their mail delivery system without a formal address. This experience was so extraordinary and so heart-warming that I will never forget it.

I did not count the number of letters, but I had to use two large boxes to pack them. That’s how many people shared their stories with me, and I am honoured by this trust and faith they have put in me. Each letter was a testament to the human spirit, a reflection of the collective experiences that defined a generation.

There was one thing that was common in each and every letter: the presence of sadness due to some reason, and their willingness to find hope and joy. Every single letter had this in common, highlighting a universal quest for happiness amidst sadness.

This sadness is actually in everyone’s life. It is everywhere, in every home and life. Sadness is like a friend that stays with people throughout their life. It is a constant companion, sometimes more present than we would like.

Then why avoid it? Something so passionately wants to be with people, and it will always be there. Recognising and accepting sadness as a part of life is crucial to our emotional well-being.

However, we cannot be sad all the time. We need to seek out joy. Finding happiness, even in small moments, is essential for a balanced life.

Those pandemic letters gave me the biggest ever reflection that changed my own outlook: that sadness is mutual, and the quest to find joy is mutual too.

Whenever I get sad now, I know that I am not the only person who is sad; the whole world experiences it. Therefore, it all made me very passionate about spreading joy. Those letters were a big driving force for me to start my across-the-country in-person tour, a journey aimed at sharing joy and hope with others.

Then, everywhere I went, I heard what I had read in those letters. The stories of struggle, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness were echoed in every conversation.

The modern world has achieved a lot. We have created so many tools to aid us with every single moment of our life, but one thing we are losing is our ability to experience fulfilling joy. In our quest for progress, we must not forget the importance of emotional connections and the simple pleasures that bring true happiness.

I would like to share my video, which I made with my musician friend Todd MacLean of PEI. It showcases some human struggles and ends with some precious joy:

These letters reminded me of that, and they continue to inspire my journey towards spreading joy in a world that often seems devoid of it.

Those two boxes, full of raw emotions, are safe in a storage place in Whitehorse. Whenever I get a new permanent home, I will bring them back there.

(If you can, write your thoughts in the comments below)