Michelle Williams: I Feel Hopeful and Grateful.........

Michelle Williams has kept a relatively low profile since Heath Ledger,

the father of her daughter, Matilda, tragically died in January 2008.

Who can blame her? Every time Williams and her little girl step out the

door of their Brooklyn brownstone, the paparazzi are ready to pounce.

In an attempt to shield her child from intrusive photogs and unnecessary

coverage in the tabloids, the actress has been extremely reluctant to give

interviews ... until now.

"I didn't know what my boundaries were for a long time, which made interviews

feel very unsafe," she shares in Vogue's October issue. "I can talk about grief,

because that's mine; about single parenting; about trying

to balance work and kids.

But what I don't have to talk about is what happened

between Heath and me in our relationship."

Clearly, the actress adored Ledger, whom she met while filming "Brokeback Mountain."

" was an unrepeatable moment in time, a very charmed time in my life," she recalls.

"I was in love; I was in a movie I was proud to be a part of, and with a beautiful

brand-new baby. Everything was good in that moment."