Ellen Pompeo Opens Up About Derek's Death

Since Derek died on Grey's Anatomy in Season 11's "How to Save a Life," cast members have shared support and goodbye messages to Patrick Dempsey. However, his onscreen wife Ellen Pompeo waited to share her reaction until Monday, and she didn't make her tweet just about Derek's death. In a notepad screengrab, she penned a love letter to Grey's fans and encouraged them to keep watching Meredith's journey, just like so many real people cope with loss and tragedy by eventually moving on.

"I have always said what keeps me going is the fans. Knowing we move you and inspire you. There are so many people out there who have suffered tremendous loss and tragedy. Husbands and wives of soldiers, victims of senseless violence, and parents who have lost children. People who get up each day and do what feels like is the impossible. So it [is] for these people and in the spirit of resilience I am honored and excited to tell the story of how Meredith goes on in the face of what feels like the impossible. I hope you will all join me on her journey. With gratitude and respect, Ellen."

The poignant note shows how connected Pompeo is with her character, because it could easily be an excerpt from one of Meredith's monologues throughout the show's 11 seasons. Pompeo wasn't completely serious in her reactions, though — on Thursday, she posted a video of her in a fire truck, announcing, "Fan girls down. I repeat, fan girls down." I suppose we can all learn to laugh a little bit, because if you don't laugh, you cry, right?

Just because Derek is dead doesn't mean that Patrick Dempsey is gone forever. I have a few ideas of how McDreamy could return, ranging from an alternate reality episode to many flashbacks, and there's also a chance that his death could bring two great things: Cristina coming back to Seattle and/or Addison returning for Derek's funeral. Sometimes you just have to embrace the silver lining. Check out Pompeo's note below.