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To the love of my life,
to Katara, to you, sweetie.
When you're reading this letter, I'm already gone. We have both known for a while now that I've been living on borrowed time - and I'm fine with it. I've made peace with the universe's decision and I accept, that like the cycle of the seasons, the cycle of the Avatar has to begin anew. I feel my strength dwindling with every passing day, and while the world seems to be in balance now, you know just as well as I do that the balance in this world is a delicate, easily disturbed one. The world needs a new protector, a new Avatar - and a new leader of the Air Nation.
Of course, for you, my love, the situation is an entirely different one. You aren't losing the Avatar, you're losing your husband, your friend, and the father of your children. We both know that things weren't always perfect, and, for Yangchen's sake, most of the time because of me and my responsibilities as the Avatar, the head of the Air Nation or the founding father of the United Republic. Important responsibilities, without a doubt - but nothing should have been able to take my focus away from you, Bumi, Kya and Tenzin. You should have been my entire world, and over the years I came to realize that you weren't.
My greatest shortcoming as a person wasn't in my role as the Avatar, but as a husband and father to all of you. While deep in my heart I know that you understand my reasons for doing why I did what I did, I would understand if you or the kids - especially Bumi and Kya - held a grudge against me, and that is all right.
Please know that my failure as a husband and father wasn't coming from a place of ignorance or disinterest. I hope you're already aware of what I'm spelling out here, but since I'm a sappy bastard, you have to sit through it one last time; for old time's sake.
I love you, Katara. It's weird, I don't know how many thousand times I must have said this over the last fifty years, but it remains true, and it never, ever got old. Saying it still brings a smile to my lips. I have loved you from the moment I laid my eyes on you, all those years ago. I have loved you when you taught me waterbending. I have loved you when we ended the war together. I have loved you when we got married and I have loved you when you gave me the three most wonderful children in the entire world, one of whom the heir of my very own legacy and culture.
I have never stopped loving you, and I pray that despite all my shortcomings in acting on these feelings, you have felt the same way about me. You were my guiding star, Katara, you have saved me from drifting off into darkness more times than I could ever count. I couldn't have done any of those things that kept the world in balance without you, your infinite strength, your radiant kindness, your unwavering support and your strong will.
The world wouldn't be the same without you, my love, and I couldn't be more proud. You should be, too. I love you, sweetie. I love you so, so much. I'm fine with leaving the world behind, but losing you breaks my heart. If you feel like part of yours is missing after I'm gone, know that it is not lost. I'm taking it with me, wherever I go now.
Do whatever you need to work through this. It will be tough, it might even seem too tough at first. But we both know that you are the strongest person in this family, way stronger than I ever was. You can do this, and you're not alone. You'll always have the children, your brother, Zuko, even Toph. You are not alone.
The next Avatar will need your guidance, and I have peace of mind knowing that you will be strong enough to assist them. I hope that with time you will be able to see more in them than the reason of my passing, but someone carrying on my legacy, and thus a piece of myself with them. That you'll look at them the same way i saw you looking at our children, your eyes radiant with love and kindness, that tiny, pleased, almost coy smile on your lips that used to show me that at the end of the day, you seemed to be content with your life's choices.
I don't want to end this letter, because I know that if I do, this will be the last thing you'll ever have heard of me, but I cannot keep this up for long anymore. As you can certainly tell, my hand is getting shaky and my head is starting to hurt.
You might not see me anymore, but please take comfort in the fact that I will always, always look out for you from the Spirit World; and one day, if you choose so, you will follow me, and I'll be waiting for you. We will be reunited, without any pain, or anxiety, without any responsibilities. Just you and me, and when this day comes, I will take your hand, I will kiss you, and I will take you penguin sledding again.
Be proud, sweetie, and be strong. I love you and I'll be with you. Always.
Forever yours,
Aang