Monday, September 20, 2010
A Small Break in the Challenge
I think I have been subconciously putting the next entry in the 30 day challenge off. It is about the person you hate most/caused you a lot of pain. I feel like I have talked a lot about that person on this blog a lot and I don't know that I am ready to dredge up memories yet. No worries though. I will finish out the challenge. I just need some time to collect my thoughts and decide how I want this letter to go.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Day #11 A Deceased Person I Wish I Could Talk to
Dear Uncle Robin,
You probably hate that I call you that but I'm sorry, to me you will always be my Uncle Robin. I think about you a lot even though I only had a short time with you. You had a big impact on both me and my mom. In many ways you taught us both what it means to truly accept someone for who they are even when who they are is a little different from everyone else. I think you played a big part in helping my mom and I realize that the world needs to respect people a little more and judge them a lot less.
I think you would be very proud of me for the person that I have become. In fact, I know you would be. I know you would be proud to say that the little girl who used to make you water all of her grandmother's flowers with her teeny tiny watering can has become a bright young woman capable of changing the world. You are part of the reason that i want to be a teacher. I want to teach the future generations what you and my mom taught me.
Ignorance is not bliss. It breeds hatred and violence where there should be respect and understanding. The more we know of each other, the more we understand, the less we are afraid and the closer we can get to being a world that is safe for everyone to live in. Maybe some day people will understand you the way mom and I do.
I think you would also be proud to know that while I am working hard at school so that I can teach the next generation what it is to truly be respectful, I also work outside of school to make it a reality. My opinions on the issue are known and felt everywhere I go. I try to be the kind of person that is accepting of all people no matter what.
The day I voted No on 1 I walked home and cried as I thought about you and how proud you would be. Were you alive today you would deserve to live in a world where your love is respected,valued and understood for what it is, love. Plain and simple. I expect that somewhere in heaven you smiled down on me that day for doing the right thing.
Love,
Dani
You probably hate that I call you that but I'm sorry, to me you will always be my Uncle Robin. I think about you a lot even though I only had a short time with you. You had a big impact on both me and my mom. In many ways you taught us both what it means to truly accept someone for who they are even when who they are is a little different from everyone else. I think you played a big part in helping my mom and I realize that the world needs to respect people a little more and judge them a lot less.
I think you would be very proud of me for the person that I have become. In fact, I know you would be. I know you would be proud to say that the little girl who used to make you water all of her grandmother's flowers with her teeny tiny watering can has become a bright young woman capable of changing the world. You are part of the reason that i want to be a teacher. I want to teach the future generations what you and my mom taught me.
Ignorance is not bliss. It breeds hatred and violence where there should be respect and understanding. The more we know of each other, the more we understand, the less we are afraid and the closer we can get to being a world that is safe for everyone to live in. Maybe some day people will understand you the way mom and I do.
I think you would also be proud to know that while I am working hard at school so that I can teach the next generation what it is to truly be respectful, I also work outside of school to make it a reality. My opinions on the issue are known and felt everywhere I go. I try to be the kind of person that is accepting of all people no matter what.
The day I voted No on 1 I walked home and cried as I thought about you and how proud you would be. Were you alive today you would deserve to live in a world where your love is respected,valued and understood for what it is, love. Plain and simple. I expect that somewhere in heaven you smiled down on me that day for doing the right thing.
Love,
Dani
Monday, September 13, 2010
Emerson's Religion
"The stationariness of religion; the assumption that the age of inspiration is past, that the Bible is closed; the fear of degrading the character of Jesus by representing him as a man; indicate with sufficient clearness the falsehood of our theology. It is the office of a true teacher to show us that God is, not was; that He speaketh, not spake. The true Christianity--a faith like Christ's in the infinitude of men--is lost. None believeth in the soul of man, but in some man or person old and departed."
~An Address by Ralph Waldo Emerson~
~An Address by Ralph Waldo Emerson~
Day # 10 Someone I Do't Talk to as Much as I Would Like to
Dear Jewels,
I am sorry. There is really no excuse for it. I feel like I have probably failed a little as a friend. But then again, I guess you have to. We were so close in high school. Then we went to college and since then our lives have kind of drifted apart. I wish that we had both managed to keep in touch more. I have just been so busy to keeping the relationships with my family and the friends I am making here going, with school, with living on my own and with work that I forgot that the relationship I had with you is of equal importance. Sometimes I see you post something on Facebook and I think to leave you message to get in touch but neither of us ever follows through. I should have. There have been some major changes in your life since I left and I should have been a better friend to in keeping track with how you were doing.
I wish we could talk. But neither us are very good at keeping in touch apparently. Maybe someday we will hang out again. Maybe some day we will run across the street yelling at each other about being careful not to get run over. Maybe some day I will see you, you will run up and grab my boobs like you always do and we will laugh at the joke like we did in the years past. Maybe some day you will hug me again and call me cutie-bootie.
I hope you know that even though we don't talk I still consider you a close friend. I hope you know that there are many days when I think of you and I miss you. I will never find another Jewels.
Love Always,
Your Friend,
Dani (Cutie-bootie)
I am sorry. There is really no excuse for it. I feel like I have probably failed a little as a friend. But then again, I guess you have to. We were so close in high school. Then we went to college and since then our lives have kind of drifted apart. I wish that we had both managed to keep in touch more. I have just been so busy to keeping the relationships with my family and the friends I am making here going, with school, with living on my own and with work that I forgot that the relationship I had with you is of equal importance. Sometimes I see you post something on Facebook and I think to leave you message to get in touch but neither of us ever follows through. I should have. There have been some major changes in your life since I left and I should have been a better friend to in keeping track with how you were doing.
I wish we could talk. But neither us are very good at keeping in touch apparently. Maybe someday we will hang out again. Maybe some day we will run across the street yelling at each other about being careful not to get run over. Maybe some day I will see you, you will run up and grab my boobs like you always do and we will laugh at the joke like we did in the years past. Maybe some day you will hug me again and call me cutie-bootie.
I hope you know that even though we don't talk I still consider you a close friend. I hope you know that there are many days when I think of you and I miss you. I will never find another Jewels.
Love Always,
Your Friend,
Dani (Cutie-bootie)
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Day # 9 Someone I Wish I Could Meet
Dear Grampa Terrill,
You died June 16th, 1989. I was born June 25th, 1989. It seems cruel the way life felt the need to take a life before I could enter this world. It seems cruel that I never got to meet the man that had such a huge impact on my family's life. My mom always tells me about you more than anyone else. She told me about when her and dad were dating, how you would answer the phone and tell her dad was out with some little blond thing. She told me that if you were alive you would have spoiled me rotten. She told me about the day, standing in the kitchen looking at my very pregnant mom you declared that I was not going to be a boy and that I wasn't going to come early. You were right. I wonder how you knew. I wonder what made you so sure. It seems like you just knew me even before I was born. I wish I had gotten the chance to know you.
Mimi misses you, you know. I know she does. She doesn't talk about you much but every now then she does. One day a few years back she accidently called Brandon you. mom says Mimi is different since you died. She says you used to do all the shopping because Mimi was so afraid of driving and the grocery store. She isn't afraid anymore. Gradually she has come out. She still hates the big bridge and the highway but she will drive them when she has to. For a long time she went and did whatever she pleased. I think she liked being able to do that. I don't think it made up for her loneliness though. For many years all of us grandchildren took turns staying the night, one every weekend. I know she liked having us around. We liked being with her too. Now that we are older we no longer do that. Mimi married again. It was 8 years ago now on Valentine's Day. I think Raymond helps with the loneliness. I think she is happier now.
In some ways I know that your dying was good. I know that it made dad realize how short life is and I think it made him want to be a really good father to his kids from the beginning because he wouldn't be able to make up for it later. I think it made Mimi come out of her shell and be a stronger, more confident person. But it didn't help me. For a long time it was just another way that men leave women. it was just another reason to hate men and not want them around. It was another reason to be single. I realize now that you didn't leave us. I realize that you were taken from us. I know you had no choice. I hope you loved us as much as we love you. I hope you are watching us somewhere in heaven and are happy for us, proud of us even for finding a way to carry on without you. For making the most of what is left of life.
I still wish I knew you.
Love,
Dani
You died June 16th, 1989. I was born June 25th, 1989. It seems cruel the way life felt the need to take a life before I could enter this world. It seems cruel that I never got to meet the man that had such a huge impact on my family's life. My mom always tells me about you more than anyone else. She told me about when her and dad were dating, how you would answer the phone and tell her dad was out with some little blond thing. She told me that if you were alive you would have spoiled me rotten. She told me about the day, standing in the kitchen looking at my very pregnant mom you declared that I was not going to be a boy and that I wasn't going to come early. You were right. I wonder how you knew. I wonder what made you so sure. It seems like you just knew me even before I was born. I wish I had gotten the chance to know you.
Mimi misses you, you know. I know she does. She doesn't talk about you much but every now then she does. One day a few years back she accidently called Brandon you. mom says Mimi is different since you died. She says you used to do all the shopping because Mimi was so afraid of driving and the grocery store. She isn't afraid anymore. Gradually she has come out. She still hates the big bridge and the highway but she will drive them when she has to. For a long time she went and did whatever she pleased. I think she liked being able to do that. I don't think it made up for her loneliness though. For many years all of us grandchildren took turns staying the night, one every weekend. I know she liked having us around. We liked being with her too. Now that we are older we no longer do that. Mimi married again. It was 8 years ago now on Valentine's Day. I think Raymond helps with the loneliness. I think she is happier now.
In some ways I know that your dying was good. I know that it made dad realize how short life is and I think it made him want to be a really good father to his kids from the beginning because he wouldn't be able to make up for it later. I think it made Mimi come out of her shell and be a stronger, more confident person. But it didn't help me. For a long time it was just another way that men leave women. it was just another reason to hate men and not want them around. It was another reason to be single. I realize now that you didn't leave us. I realize that you were taken from us. I know you had no choice. I hope you loved us as much as we love you. I hope you are watching us somewhere in heaven and are happy for us, proud of us even for finding a way to carry on without you. For making the most of what is left of life.
I still wish I knew you.
Love,
Dani
Friday, September 10, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Day # 8 My Favorite Internet Friend
Dear Mel,
I know we are friends in real life as well as online but you are the friend I interact the most with online. It's funny, whenever I post something on Facebook I wait to see if you, my mom or my grandmother will be the first to respond. It seems you keep close tabs on my life. I like having a friend who cares enough to stalk me. It is nice to know that if I ever need a friend all I have to do is send you a text or a quick message on Facebook.
You and I have been through quite a bit together in the short 4 years that we have known each other. Break ups, make ups, family feuds, moves in and out of town, school drama, friend drama, money drama, and never quite knowing if we would come out on top of it all. You have never failed to be there for me. And I hope that I have never failed to be there for you too.
It seems like it was just yesterday that I met you and only a few days ago that we were sharing a room together in the dorms. The time has certainly flown by with you as my friend. We have had a lot of fun together. watermelon, King Arthur, farting, apples to apples, skip-bo, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and of course swapping books and our own writing. I love reading your writing and editing. I also love sharing my stuff with you. You are an amazing writer and I like having you there as a sound board to bounce things off of.
There have also been times when we have irritated each other. Times when i have been excruciatingly stubborn and times when you have done exactly what I told you not to do only to get yourself into the trouble I specifically warned you about. We are both the kind of people that have to do things our way first. We are both the kind of people who only take advice when you truly want it. I am glad that that has never stood in the way of our friendship. I am glad that when the other is doing something a bit dumb we don't rub it in their faces. We just kind of say, well, lets try and get you out of this mess. It isn't about who is right or who is wrong. It is about being ourselves and loving the other person for being themselves. Our friendship is good because we have know each other's strengths, what makes us each wonderful as well as our weaknesses and faults.
True friends like you don't come around everyday and I hope you know that I value you for that, for being a true friend to me.
Love,
Your Always Friend,
Dani
I know we are friends in real life as well as online but you are the friend I interact the most with online. It's funny, whenever I post something on Facebook I wait to see if you, my mom or my grandmother will be the first to respond. It seems you keep close tabs on my life. I like having a friend who cares enough to stalk me. It is nice to know that if I ever need a friend all I have to do is send you a text or a quick message on Facebook.
You and I have been through quite a bit together in the short 4 years that we have known each other. Break ups, make ups, family feuds, moves in and out of town, school drama, friend drama, money drama, and never quite knowing if we would come out on top of it all. You have never failed to be there for me. And I hope that I have never failed to be there for you too.
It seems like it was just yesterday that I met you and only a few days ago that we were sharing a room together in the dorms. The time has certainly flown by with you as my friend. We have had a lot of fun together. watermelon, King Arthur, farting, apples to apples, skip-bo, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and of course swapping books and our own writing. I love reading your writing and editing. I also love sharing my stuff with you. You are an amazing writer and I like having you there as a sound board to bounce things off of.
There have also been times when we have irritated each other. Times when i have been excruciatingly stubborn and times when you have done exactly what I told you not to do only to get yourself into the trouble I specifically warned you about. We are both the kind of people that have to do things our way first. We are both the kind of people who only take advice when you truly want it. I am glad that that has never stood in the way of our friendship. I am glad that when the other is doing something a bit dumb we don't rub it in their faces. We just kind of say, well, lets try and get you out of this mess. It isn't about who is right or who is wrong. It is about being ourselves and loving the other person for being themselves. Our friendship is good because we have know each other's strengths, what makes us each wonderful as well as our weaknesses and faults.
True friends like you don't come around everyday and I hope you know that I value you for that, for being a true friend to me.
Love,
Your Always Friend,
Dani
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Religion
My true religion, my simple faith is in love and compassion. There is no need for complicated philosophy, doctrine, or dogma. Our own heart, our own mind, is the temple. The doctrine is compassion. Love for others.
~Dalai Lama~
~Dalai Lama~
In Love
“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”
~Dr. Seuss.~
~Dr. Seuss.~
Day # 7 My Ex-Boyfriend
Dear Ryan,
I am really glad that you and I are sort of friends now. When we parted I was certain we would be. Mostly because I was angry. I wasn't even all that angry with you really for dumping me, over aim I might add.I was more angry cause I had known that we had been over for 4 months. I had just not wanted to admit it. We had returned to school and despite my frequent tries to see you, you were always busy. I should have known what that I meant. But I didn't. Probably because when I did see you, everything was the same as it always was. You were trying to push me just a little farther and I was not letting you. I wasn't in love with you.
I didn't tell you tat at the time. I mean, I did love you. You had been my best friend since first grade. We had ridden the bus everyday together before I moved. I just wasn't in love with you. I couldn't be. I was still trying to run away.
I was angry with myself after we were over because I hadn't loved you and I knew it but I let you use me and I used you a little back. I needed you. Not in the physical way you wanted me too though. I needed you to make me think I felt safe again and that everything was god again. That everything in my life was normal again. I was a wreck after Isaac. And I didn't realize how bad it was. I realize it now though. I guess the cliche, "hind sight is 20/20" is dead on.
I can't say that I am sorry for how things worked out though. I think we have both realized that we are better as friends. I like that. Thanks for being my friend.
Your Friend,
Dani
I am really glad that you and I are sort of friends now. When we parted I was certain we would be. Mostly because I was angry. I wasn't even all that angry with you really for dumping me, over aim I might add.I was more angry cause I had known that we had been over for 4 months. I had just not wanted to admit it. We had returned to school and despite my frequent tries to see you, you were always busy. I should have known what that I meant. But I didn't. Probably because when I did see you, everything was the same as it always was. You were trying to push me just a little farther and I was not letting you. I wasn't in love with you.
I didn't tell you tat at the time. I mean, I did love you. You had been my best friend since first grade. We had ridden the bus everyday together before I moved. I just wasn't in love with you. I couldn't be. I was still trying to run away.
I was angry with myself after we were over because I hadn't loved you and I knew it but I let you use me and I used you a little back. I needed you. Not in the physical way you wanted me too though. I needed you to make me think I felt safe again and that everything was god again. That everything in my life was normal again. I was a wreck after Isaac. And I didn't realize how bad it was. I realize it now though. I guess the cliche, "hind sight is 20/20" is dead on.
I can't say that I am sorry for how things worked out though. I think we have both realized that we are better as friends. I like that. Thanks for being my friend.
Your Friend,
Dani
Monday, September 6, 2010
Day # 6 To a Stranger
(I missed a day, I know. I had to work yesterday and unfortunately they are doing this thing where they close an hour later this week so I didn't get home till late and then I had homework. I think I have been doing pretty good though.)
Dear Stranger,
I don't know you and you don't know me. That is made clear by the term stranger. But I would like to think that when you see me you see a fellow human being. One with a past filled with rich experiences, experiences that you may or may not be able to relate to. But experiences altogether different than yours. I hope that you can respect these differences. I wish you could respect me because I am human. Because I live and breathe and love in much the same way that you do.
I hope that you can respect other people who are even more different from you than I am. I doubt it though. See, that is what is missing in the world. Respect and understanding for others who are different than ourselves. I wish it was different.
I have met you dear stranger. It was last year, right before the big state elections. Everyone here was hyped up about question 1. Should we be the first state in the union to actually vote for gay marriage or would we be like many other states who have shot the idea down? You were against. I was for. You were handing out fliers. I was respectful of you and your opinion even though I didn't agree. I took the handout, thanked you for your opinion and then threw it away when you weren't looking. I had already made my decision. I would respect the gay communities right to the pursuit of happiness. I would vote for gay marriage.
Maybe your experiences were different from mine. I had been raised knowing that gay people are the same as you and me. They just love a little bit differently.
Respectful yours,
Dani
Dear Stranger,
I don't know you and you don't know me. That is made clear by the term stranger. But I would like to think that when you see me you see a fellow human being. One with a past filled with rich experiences, experiences that you may or may not be able to relate to. But experiences altogether different than yours. I hope that you can respect these differences. I wish you could respect me because I am human. Because I live and breathe and love in much the same way that you do.
I hope that you can respect other people who are even more different from you than I am. I doubt it though. See, that is what is missing in the world. Respect and understanding for others who are different than ourselves. I wish it was different.
I have met you dear stranger. It was last year, right before the big state elections. Everyone here was hyped up about question 1. Should we be the first state in the union to actually vote for gay marriage or would we be like many other states who have shot the idea down? You were against. I was for. You were handing out fliers. I was respectful of you and your opinion even though I didn't agree. I took the handout, thanked you for your opinion and then threw it away when you weren't looking. I had already made my decision. I would respect the gay communities right to the pursuit of happiness. I would vote for gay marriage.
Maybe your experiences were different from mine. I had been raised knowing that gay people are the same as you and me. They just love a little bit differently.
Respectful yours,
Dani
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Day #5 My Dreams
Dear Dreams,
Thanks for keeping me company all these years. You have been a constant friend. When I have been down and afraid I won't make it through you have pushed me forward. I think it is important for people to have a dream. Something they are passionate about to work towards. It keeps them going and makes there life worth something. I just wish you didn't seem so elusive.
When I was little I first wanted to be a doctor, a ballerina, a lawyer, or a veterinarian. I wanted to go to Harvard, I wanted to cure cancer, I wanted to wow and amaze. As I got older my dreams got to be less far fetched. I knew I didn't really like science. I knew I liked math and was good at it but I wouldn't want to spend every day doing it. I knew I loved English. I think that is how most dreams begin. We start to realize that they will only last and sustain us if we find something we truly love. Books were like breathing for me. I decided to be an English teacher. It was a long road to deciding what kind of teacher I wanted to be, who I wanted to teach and what exactly I would teach but I have it figured out now. I managed to cling to this dream and it gets closer and closer every day to becoming my reality.
It has been a hard journey for us, me and my dreams, though. We have had to learn what it means to really work hard. To really be exhausted. To really not see the end of the ever stacking list of problems in front of us. There have been so many roadblocks along the way but there have been even more helping hands.
This letter though isn't about the road blocks or the helping hands. This letter is in homage to my dreams. This letter is a thank you for keeping me strong. This letter is to say I can make my dreams come true.
"Reach for the moon because even if you miss you will land among the stars"
Dani
Thanks for keeping me company all these years. You have been a constant friend. When I have been down and afraid I won't make it through you have pushed me forward. I think it is important for people to have a dream. Something they are passionate about to work towards. It keeps them going and makes there life worth something. I just wish you didn't seem so elusive.
When I was little I first wanted to be a doctor, a ballerina, a lawyer, or a veterinarian. I wanted to go to Harvard, I wanted to cure cancer, I wanted to wow and amaze. As I got older my dreams got to be less far fetched. I knew I didn't really like science. I knew I liked math and was good at it but I wouldn't want to spend every day doing it. I knew I loved English. I think that is how most dreams begin. We start to realize that they will only last and sustain us if we find something we truly love. Books were like breathing for me. I decided to be an English teacher. It was a long road to deciding what kind of teacher I wanted to be, who I wanted to teach and what exactly I would teach but I have it figured out now. I managed to cling to this dream and it gets closer and closer every day to becoming my reality.
It has been a hard journey for us, me and my dreams, though. We have had to learn what it means to really work hard. To really be exhausted. To really not see the end of the ever stacking list of problems in front of us. There have been so many roadblocks along the way but there have been even more helping hands.
This letter though isn't about the road blocks or the helping hands. This letter is in homage to my dreams. This letter is a thank you for keeping me strong. This letter is to say I can make my dreams come true.
"Reach for the moon because even if you miss you will land among the stars"
Dani
Friday, September 3, 2010
Day #4 My Siblings
Dear Nick, Jamie and Jason,
My 3 little brothers. Well, Nick isn't so little anymore and it won't be long now till I can't call Jamie and Jason little either. You are all growing up so quickly.
Nick,
I love you. I am so proud of you. I am so happy for you. I can't believe that you are finally out on your own making your own way in life. I can't believe that you have your own apartment and are in college already. I remember when I was the one driving you around everywhere and now you are the one driving me around! Well sometimes anyway. I miss you a lot. It is hard not to miss my partner in crime. We have always been very close. And before I went off to college we did just about everything together. It is hard to no longer have a friend around who I can hang out with all the time. I hope that you continue to do well in school and at work. I hope all of your dreams will come true for you.
Jamie,
I love you. I can't believe how much you have grown. I remember holding you in my arms right after you were born. I remember helping feed you, watch you and change you. I remember when you finally learned to get up the stairs you would crawl up them and sneak into my room to wake me up. I remember when my room moved downstairs that it became even easier for you to wake me up. I remember when you started school. You are so smart, and such a good kid Jamie. I hope that continues as you get older. I hope that you take advantage of that to really make something of yourself. I hope you know that no matter what happens we will always be proud of you.
Jason,
I love you. You are only 3 so it will probably be a long time before you read this, if you ever do. And probably an even longer time before you understand it. That time won't feel that long for you. I can't believe that you are already 3 years old and will be 4 in March. That isn't all that far away now. I remember when you were born too. I remember holding you and looking at your little toes. I fed and baby sat you and changed you too. You are so silly now. You are so much more active and playful. I hope that doesn't get you in trouble in school, but it probably will. When it does, just remember that there is nothing wrong with being you. No matter who tells you otherwise. You are a very sweet boy when you want to be and I know you have a good heart. That is what really matters.
I Love You Three to the Moon and Back Again
Dani
My 3 little brothers. Well, Nick isn't so little anymore and it won't be long now till I can't call Jamie and Jason little either. You are all growing up so quickly.
Nick,
I love you. I am so proud of you. I am so happy for you. I can't believe that you are finally out on your own making your own way in life. I can't believe that you have your own apartment and are in college already. I remember when I was the one driving you around everywhere and now you are the one driving me around! Well sometimes anyway. I miss you a lot. It is hard not to miss my partner in crime. We have always been very close. And before I went off to college we did just about everything together. It is hard to no longer have a friend around who I can hang out with all the time. I hope that you continue to do well in school and at work. I hope all of your dreams will come true for you.
Jamie,
I love you. I can't believe how much you have grown. I remember holding you in my arms right after you were born. I remember helping feed you, watch you and change you. I remember when you finally learned to get up the stairs you would crawl up them and sneak into my room to wake me up. I remember when my room moved downstairs that it became even easier for you to wake me up. I remember when you started school. You are so smart, and such a good kid Jamie. I hope that continues as you get older. I hope that you take advantage of that to really make something of yourself. I hope you know that no matter what happens we will always be proud of you.
Jason,
I love you. You are only 3 so it will probably be a long time before you read this, if you ever do. And probably an even longer time before you understand it. That time won't feel that long for you. I can't believe that you are already 3 years old and will be 4 in March. That isn't all that far away now. I remember when you were born too. I remember holding you and looking at your little toes. I fed and baby sat you and changed you too. You are so silly now. You are so much more active and playful. I hope that doesn't get you in trouble in school, but it probably will. When it does, just remember that there is nothing wrong with being you. No matter who tells you otherwise. You are a very sweet boy when you want to be and I know you have a good heart. That is what really matters.
I Love You Three to the Moon and Back Again
Dani
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Day #3 My Parents
Dear Mom, Dad, Kelly and David,
This is going to be a long letter. How does a person go about writing a letter to their 4 parents?? Well, here we go.
Mom,
I love you very much. I want to thank you for showing me how to save money and spend wisely. For teaching me how to make my own way in the world. For showing me the value of a good book and a good education. Thank you for showing me the outlet that keeps me sane, writing. Thank you for teaching my that hate comes from ignorance and teaching me to not be ignorant. Thank you for showing me what it means to be a truly compassionate person. I am not really sure who I would be if you weren't my mom.
Dad,
I love you very much. I hope you know that. I am sorry that I don't see you as often as I would like too. Please know that I think of you often in the little things that I do. I can't make peanut butter brownies without thinking of the many times you and I made them together late at night. Thank you for being the type of dad who lets me have my own life. Thank you for showing me the value of hard work. Thank you for understanding how important my independence is and for allowing me to have it.
Kelly,
I love you very much. I am sorry I was such a brat when I was little. Thank you for understanding that I was simply hurt, angry and confused by all the changes that were going on in my life when you first came into it. Thank you for giving me time to get used to the idea of having you around. Thanks for not trying to be another mom to me but rather an adult friend who I could confide in and look up to. Thanks for understanding that was what I needed. I appreciate all that you have done for me. The shopping trips, the late night sleepovers with my friends you supervised, doing my hair and later my make-up, taking my senior pictures, just being there for me and so much more. I am glad that you now have two kids that are really your own to make you want to pull your hair out. They are both beautiful and I could not love them more if they were my full brothers. Thanks for bring them into my life.
David,
I love you very much. You are the only man that has ever come into my mom's life that has made her truly happy and for that more than anything else I will always be eternally grateful to you. I am so happy that you are there with her especially now that her babies have grown up and gone their separate ways. I know she will appreciate the company. I can think of no one better to be my step-dad. Thank you for taking care of me like I was your own daughter. Thank you for all the advice and for all the car repairs. I do take it all very seriously even if I don't always do as you tell me to. I know that I should. Please know that even though you were the last parent to come into my life that does not mean that I love you any less. There is always room in my life and in my heart for you too.
The 4 of you almost never get along. It seems to me that you spend most of your time fighting despite the fact you live so far apart and despite the fact that you all want the same thing; what is best for Nick and me. I love you all despite your differences. You have all helped to shape the person that I am. I hope you know that I would not be me without every single one of you in my life. I hope that when you fight, you remember that.
Love You All to the Moon and Back Again
Dani
This is going to be a long letter. How does a person go about writing a letter to their 4 parents?? Well, here we go.
Mom,
I love you very much. I want to thank you for showing me how to save money and spend wisely. For teaching me how to make my own way in the world. For showing me the value of a good book and a good education. Thank you for showing me the outlet that keeps me sane, writing. Thank you for teaching my that hate comes from ignorance and teaching me to not be ignorant. Thank you for showing me what it means to be a truly compassionate person. I am not really sure who I would be if you weren't my mom.
Dad,
I love you very much. I hope you know that. I am sorry that I don't see you as often as I would like too. Please know that I think of you often in the little things that I do. I can't make peanut butter brownies without thinking of the many times you and I made them together late at night. Thank you for being the type of dad who lets me have my own life. Thank you for showing me the value of hard work. Thank you for understanding how important my independence is and for allowing me to have it.
Kelly,
I love you very much. I am sorry I was such a brat when I was little. Thank you for understanding that I was simply hurt, angry and confused by all the changes that were going on in my life when you first came into it. Thank you for giving me time to get used to the idea of having you around. Thanks for not trying to be another mom to me but rather an adult friend who I could confide in and look up to. Thanks for understanding that was what I needed. I appreciate all that you have done for me. The shopping trips, the late night sleepovers with my friends you supervised, doing my hair and later my make-up, taking my senior pictures, just being there for me and so much more. I am glad that you now have two kids that are really your own to make you want to pull your hair out. They are both beautiful and I could not love them more if they were my full brothers. Thanks for bring them into my life.
David,
I love you very much. You are the only man that has ever come into my mom's life that has made her truly happy and for that more than anything else I will always be eternally grateful to you. I am so happy that you are there with her especially now that her babies have grown up and gone their separate ways. I know she will appreciate the company. I can think of no one better to be my step-dad. Thank you for taking care of me like I was your own daughter. Thank you for all the advice and for all the car repairs. I do take it all very seriously even if I don't always do as you tell me to. I know that I should. Please know that even though you were the last parent to come into my life that does not mean that I love you any less. There is always room in my life and in my heart for you too.
The 4 of you almost never get along. It seems to me that you spend most of your time fighting despite the fact you live so far apart and despite the fact that you all want the same thing; what is best for Nick and me. I love you all despite your differences. You have all helped to shape the person that I am. I hope you know that I would not be me without every single one of you in my life. I hope that when you fight, you remember that.
Love You All to the Moon and Back Again
Dani
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Day #2 My Crush
Dear Crush,
I have liked you for a very long time. Close to 4 years. I can still remember the day I met you. It was probably the most awkward situation that I had been in in a long time. You were my exes best friend (or so he told me repeatedly) and you and I shared all the same friends but we had never really talked before. I had no idea what kind of preconceived notions about me you might have or if you and I would get along. I remember that first conversation. I remember laughing till there were tears. I knew that at the very least, you were someone I could have fun with.
I remember passing notes, then talking on aim and then that spiraling into emails back and forth. I don't remember the exact day that I realized I had feelings for you but I do remember the day I realized it could happen if I wasn't careful. we had spent all night talking online about risks. What risks we should take, was it ever really worth it take any risks at all and if it was then when. we talked about the idea that there could be no happiness, no triumph without the possibility of failure. I don't think I had ever had a more deep, personal and meaningful philosophical discussion in my life. At least not with any one that I could hold my end with. not with any one that could keep up with me. Our intellects were well matched. I went to bed smiling that night, imagining the conversations we could have in the future. I knew a boy that could make me smile that much just by talking to me about life was someone I could fall in love with.
Sometimes my descent into complete helpless love for seems like it was a slow fall. But it certainly snuck up on me as a surprise. By the time we had known each other for 2 months I was already making excuses to friends and family about why you and I were just friends. Maybe I really knew all along and I was just hiding it from myself. I'm not really sure.
What I do know for sure though is that know, even after being with you for almost 4 years I am still hopelessly and madly in love with you. I have fallen for you utterly and completely.
Love Always
Dani
I have liked you for a very long time. Close to 4 years. I can still remember the day I met you. It was probably the most awkward situation that I had been in in a long time. You were my exes best friend (or so he told me repeatedly) and you and I shared all the same friends but we had never really talked before. I had no idea what kind of preconceived notions about me you might have or if you and I would get along. I remember that first conversation. I remember laughing till there were tears. I knew that at the very least, you were someone I could have fun with.
I remember passing notes, then talking on aim and then that spiraling into emails back and forth. I don't remember the exact day that I realized I had feelings for you but I do remember the day I realized it could happen if I wasn't careful. we had spent all night talking online about risks. What risks we should take, was it ever really worth it take any risks at all and if it was then when. we talked about the idea that there could be no happiness, no triumph without the possibility of failure. I don't think I had ever had a more deep, personal and meaningful philosophical discussion in my life. At least not with any one that I could hold my end with. not with any one that could keep up with me. Our intellects were well matched. I went to bed smiling that night, imagining the conversations we could have in the future. I knew a boy that could make me smile that much just by talking to me about life was someone I could fall in love with.
Sometimes my descent into complete helpless love for seems like it was a slow fall. But it certainly snuck up on me as a surprise. By the time we had known each other for 2 months I was already making excuses to friends and family about why you and I were just friends. Maybe I really knew all along and I was just hiding it from myself. I'm not really sure.
What I do know for sure though is that know, even after being with you for almost 4 years I am still hopelessly and madly in love with you. I have fallen for you utterly and completely.
Love Always
Dani
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