Have you stumbled upon the hidden “Dear Richmond” mailbox nestled in the James River Park System yet? Tucked away on a quiet trail near the park headquarters, this unassuming green mailbox holds something very Richmond: a community journal filled with the thoughts, hopes, and reflections of those who’ve taken a moment to pause and connect.

Originally placed in collaboration with the James River Park System, this mailbox began as an experiment during the challenging days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, it has grown into a beloved part of the park experience—a place where strangers leave behind words of encouragement, share their stories, or simply observe the natural beauty surrounding them. Over the years, it has weathered storms, changed locations, and gathered countless entries that serve as a testament to the resilience and humanity of our little city by the river.

The journal entries are as varied as the people who write them—some are heartfelt confessions, others are joyful celebrations, trail sketches, or musings about life in Richmond. Each one is a reminder of the connection we share, even when we walk different paths. If you haven’t found the mailbox yet, we encourage you to seek it out, leave your own mark, and become part of this ongoing story.

Here are some of the most recent entries left in the “Dear Richmond” journal this fall:

-Your woods and river bring me such peace and comfort, even when times are hard. You help me find me and stay connected to what matters. Stay wild, my dear city.

– Gratitude and love for this moment. For the moments that have been and will be. For the support, guidance, love, dreams, lessons, joy, for the cycles. For friends, family, and community.

– The world feels heavy, but I am grateful for this city, for its rivers, who have put their arms
around art and earth for joy.

-Hello Fellow Richmonders, now that we’ve finally found this mailbox, we have no idea what to say! We LOVE this city!

– Fall is a time of shedding the old for the new. It’s our preparation for new growth. Loss leading to renewal — death begetting new life. The river is a reminder that at all of life’s seasons — endings, beginnings, and everything in between, life in all its chaotic, powerful beauty flows on.

-Sitting on this bench with friends and enjoying a nice stroll on a beautiful yet cloudy day.

-I sit here with joy and happiness as this world is such a beautiful place despite everything that is and will possibly be. Sending love.

-Cheerful nihilism – things are looking bad, but your life still has meaning. Find your marshmallows to roast on the fire. You are worthy.

-I love nature so much, especially rocks because I can make a rock collection. I also love seeing the James River and picking up leaves and other stuff.

-Sitting silently, birds chirping. It is the end of day. The park feels like a snippet of countryside. Richmond feels abandoned and overgrown in a loving sort of way. Let your wild spirit grow like the old trees. Their roots developing under pipes and concrete foundations nestled beneath our feet that walk the concrete sidewalks and trip on those bricks where the ground emerges fearlessly.

-I could die right here with you in the sun. But we’ll die when we’re old. For now, let’s enjoy the sun together in love.

-What is wrong with me? How do I fix it? The answers elude me, so I keep trekking on because tomorrow will be different, right? It never is. But what is the alternative? To accept that I will never be loved. The only fate worse than heartbreak. So, I keep pouring my heart out until there is no blood left to spill like the fool that I am. Because tomorrow will be different, right?

-I’m trans, no doubt about it. I’m just not sure how to tell people. Maybe I’ll drop off the face of the planet and move to Canda? Whatever. I’ll figure it out, we all will.

– (Journal entry in response) Never be ashamed or embarrassed of who you choose to be! You’re beautiful and brave.

– (Journal entry in response) It takes a lot to discover yourself, and it’s certainly not easy. I know how scary it can be to transition, whether worrying about how folks will take it, the awareness of going through puberty a second time, or the anxiety of living in a world that hates folks like us. But it’s all worth it. Nothing can compare to the liberty and feeling of getting to truly be yourself for the first time – and for the rest of your life. It took me a lot of time, but I am truly able to be happy now in a way that was impossible before. Don’t be afraid, my friend – it’ll all be worth it. And hey, it’s hard to ask for a better southern city with as vibrant & rich a queer community as Richmond.

-She is everything I have ever wanted. To her, I am a bloody fool crippled by loneliness, begging for love, receiving rejection. Family and friends, relationships and those that never were, the battle for acceptance, endlessly losing the war. I ride the wave each time just to crash back down, stuck in a loop. Like a fool, I thought she was different. I manifested her into my life. She is the reason I stayed around. I am the reason she came. A king and his queen, a lock and a key, two broken people, all the other needs. So rare in such a bleak world, yet she pulls away just as they always do.

-A lovely fall walk along the river with our three hounds. The things that lift the spirit.

-Thank you, Richmond and James River Park System. We love the trails, tennis courts, playground, and park!

-Enjoy every step of your life because it could be your last. I hope whoever reads this, you know that you’re everything. Love life, cherish life. It’s beautiful. Love every step.

–The weather is nice today, too nice honestly. It’s 50-60 degrees and was in the 80s last week, too warm for November. Such is life on an Earth being burned by corporations and the rich.

-We trekked the one mile to Belle Isle, where, upon arrival, we jammed to some Led Zeppelin and drank Gatorade. Life ain’t too bad. Peace and love to all.

-RIP Mom.

-My 17th birthday is in three days. I came here in October of last year before my 16th birthday. A lot has happened since then. It has been an interesting year, but nevertheless, I am still here. Hopefully, I will find this writing next year when I am 18. Until then, I will continue to grow in every aspect of myself, reaching ever higher.

-This is my last adventure in Richmond before I move to Brazil for a year and a half. I’m going on a mission trip to help people and teach them about Jesus.

-Glad to be out in nature again. It heals the broken soul.

-Love everyone and be kind always.

-When I moved here this summer, I jumped in headfirst, not knowing what was coming but being so desperate for a change that I was willing to do anything. The peace that Richmond has brought me, despite the things I’m going through, makes me feel so grateful. I’m grateful for my parents, who spent the last 19 years of my life making sure they could give me a great life. I’m thankful for friends and the people around me that love me for exactly who I am and remind me of that every day. I’m grateful for the sheer ability to look around and realize how lucky I am. I’m grateful for the ability to leave the past far behind and heal.
-Uncertainty is always lingering, but I am learning to accept the unknown and believe that everything that happens to you is intentional, and I can overcome anything.

-Love well. Be well. And may hope always reigns over fear.

-Be the change you’ve anticipated.

-It is what it is.

-Life is beautiful. Love it & Live it.

-Well hello Richmond! What a beautiful day it is today. I’m enjoying my walk with a new friend and my happy place. Hoping this place brings you as much joy as it does for me.

-Hello Richmond—thank you to the persons who started this mailbox. I am having a difficult time but have realized friends, family, and Richmonders alike are so supportive.

-I will share two things:
1. You—yes you—were made in God’s image. Not that model on TV/Internet.
2. You are loved. Sometimes you may not see/feel it, but you are loved. Ask someone for a hug if you need it.

-I met my beautiful girlfriend here, I met my first love here!!

-I looked for geodes and heard a woodpecker. It is a lovely day, and I feel quite happy. I love the sound of the river.

-The river is so stunning, surrounded by the golden hues of autumn foliage. Feeling so grateful to witness the beautiful scenery with the best roommate and friend.

-The river is subsiding after several days and nights spent overwhelmed with floodwaters which did not fall here. Summer has gone and with it, the days spent engrossed in this beloved river. Some say the river is poisoned, but are we not born of the same water? My love to thee, O James and all the names you have held before.

-Didn’t know what this mailbox was for, so we opened it to find this awesome book of memories. What a beautiful community we get to call home.

-Dear Richmond. You’re awesome. It’s my first day as a volunteer James River Park host, and to be honest, I am pretty good. Stay pretty.

-Wonderful morning light today. Really peaceful seeing deer, raccoons, squirrels, and other critters.

-Hello! Visiting from Chicago. We love your city.

-The water is flowing with sewage but it’s still nice to look at.

-To whoever reads this you are loved and make your next move your best move. Take care of yourself.

-We’re here from Alaska and have had a such a wonderful time with our friends here in the River City. Richmond is beautiful.

-Thanks, James River Park System.

-A lovely fall walk along the river with our three hounds. The things that lift the spirits.

-The four of us in the forest are joyful to be here with the falling leaves of November. Live in the moment and be the light.

-First time in Richmond, such a fun way to connect with others and nature.

-You are loved. You will be missed. Hold on for another day.

-If somebody reads this, you’re rad! Remember that. 

-The world we live in is confusing. Adjustments are hard. Love can hurt worse than hate ever could. Asking yourself, how can I let go, just for a few minutes, so the constant attentiveness and safety scanning can let up and my cells can catch up and heal.

– You can have trauma before you even remember that shapes who you are today. Attachments. Reasons behind your addictions that are burnt into your soul before you knew your own name. Covered up. Lost and dangerously naive. Judged. Neglected.

-Speaking of the Presidential Election was this past week, and Trump got re-elected. That certainly doesn’t bode well for our country, the world, and the people on this planet. As a transgender person, most of the past few days have been spent figuring out how to get the hormones and care my community and I need to survive in the event that Trump follows through on his promises to heavily restrict such things. I fear for us all, but in the face of terror, the answer remains the same: organize. We will get through this and fight for the lives and freedom of all. I do wish the Democrats had any backbone though, lol.

-I have forgiven you and I truly wish you the best. I’m glad we met and still thought you were worth it. I wish you handled things better, but I understand too. Anyways, peace, love, and blessings, Joshua. I really did like you as a husband. Thank you for giving me two syllables. Hope you wish me well too.

-Farewell to the James and Richmond. I have been so blessed to have spent some time in the area. The James and Forest Hill Park gave me so much peace and serenity. I am heading home to Ohio, then off to New Haven, Conn., on another Travel Nurse adventure. I will miss the folks at Early Morning Serenity Group. They have taught me a lot, and we kept each other sober. God bless AA and Richmond, Va.

-My creator is also your creator, and together we create. Don’t worry. Life will continue always and forever.

-I knew I was supposed to be here. Super thankful for this. The sound of the river flowing is perfection. I can’t help but think of us finding this book. I still love you, still haven’t given it away, and hope if we ever cross paths again that we are at our highest selves and in peace. I love you.

-As we grow old, nature is there to remind us of our youth. We are exactly where we are supposed to be. One day, this moment will be a distant memory. But today, it is the freshest moment of our lives.