shorter days and pumpkin pie
06 Sep 2010 Leave a Comment
in seasons
Dear Fall,
You are one of my favorite times of the year, but this year I’m not quite ready for you yet. While the boys are swimming in the pool, I cannot think of the best way to tell them that the pool will be closed soon. I love letting them splash, swim, and play. I love being lazy in the warm sun, catching up on emails, and playing in the pool too! I will miss lazy afternoons like these. We are “outside” people, and one of our favorite things to do outside is swim. Oh fall, hold on for a few more weeks!
Once you do greet us, I will get over the fact that the pool is closed and I will begin my “baking season.” You see, sweet fall, you are the perfect time for pies, breads, cookies, and dinners. You bring college football, world series, and Halloween. Soon I will be so busy with things to do I will forget our long afternoons by the pool. Those days will be traded with fairs, carnivals, parties, and a wedding I can’t wait to get to!
This is one of our last evenings by the pool and I am holding onto it as long as I can. Now that my oldest is wrapped up in a towel waiting to get back inside because you are cooling us off rather quickly today, I ask you to wait a few more weeks. Just a few.
Love,
A.
Beautiful!
05 Sep 2010 Leave a Comment
Dear Candy-Apple Red Mercedes that parks behind me,
You are beautiful. I want you to have as my own. You complete me. Where did you come from? I never see your owner, I hope they are good to you. I would be good to you… I cannot speak for my kids though. They’re pretty messy.
Oh beautiful car, maybe someday I’ll own something like you. I do love my Toyota, and it’s beautiful too. But you are beyond what I could dream to own at the moment.
Until the next time I walk outside,
A.
Purpse to be here
29 Aug 2010 Leave a Comment
Dear Kids at our apartment complex,
I would like to think when I see you at the playground or swimming pool that your parents are watching near by. Unfortunately we both know this is not true. I don’t know what they are up to, but I am sorry you are left alone, or told to go, and don’t have a parent or family member there with you. I can only hope that when you are done playing that you have loving parents to go home to.
We have had great conversations and I think you are all great kids! It bothers me, though, your knowledge of sex-ed. There is no reason for a nine-year-old to be telling an older teenage couple walking by, “remember to put it on before you put it in!” I can only hope that you do not have to say that to yourself any time in the near future.
To the little girl with glasses who loves to take my dog for a walk: you are beautiful. I’m glad you like school, your teacher, your new friends, and riding the bus. You’re a very smart girl and I love hearing about your problems in math. Keep up the good work. Dharma always loves it when you take her for walks, come and get her any time 
To the girl who writes in her notebook: You have an amazing mind for a fifth grader! I love to hear what you want to write about and maybe some day I’ll read your work in a book or magazine article. You will really go places, just keep your head up.
To the boy with the dog: You are so funny! You constantly make me smile and I cannot believe how mature you are for such a little person. Sometimes it seems like you watch over my boys better than I do. Please don’t jump off of the top of the slide anymore, you’re going to break your arm.
To the leader of the pack: Remember to make good choices, whether it be on the bus, at school, or with your friends. You know how to control a crowd, please keep in mind to use that gift in a positive way. Just think Spiderman.
To the brothers: you boys are so special to me. I want to wrap you in my arms, take you home, and give you the love you need. Your mom is tired and she’s going through a tough time. Listen in school and come home and I’ll give you some more popsicles and we’ll talk about the day.
To all of our friends: I look forward to the next hide-and-seek game, maybe we’ll get to play tomorrow. You always seem to find me, one day I’m going to find the perfect spot I love you all. I know that is one of the reasons God put is where we are right now. Each of you need a little something extra in your lives. I listened to a sermon on compassion today and I know God has given me the gift of compassion for you all. Knock on our door any time. Ask for help when you need it. If I’m here, I’m here for you!
From a compassionate heart,
A.
Left Out
23 Aug 2010 Leave a Comment
Dear Broken Family,
I’m going to need you to get it together. There is no excuse for a close family member to be in the hospital for over 24 hours and I only hear about it on facebook. I understand that there is family drama concerning close relatives, however, this should have nothing to do with me and knowing that my family member was in the hospital.
I am upset beyond words. I know that I’m far away from you all, but it only takes a second to pick up the phone and give me details. Heck, call my sister and she can call me. That’s right, my sister didn’t know either. My mom didn’t know. My dad didn’t know. Why? Are pepople afraid to contact my sister or me because of family drama? Every family has their issues, and ours is no exception, but don’t assume that I don’t need to know or that I don’t care.
I love my family, everyone infact. Even the ones who surprise me the most, those who it has taken me YEARS to see through them. It breaks my heart that if something bad happens to my grandmother I am the last to know. I’m afraid it will only get worse. Oh family, there is no excuse for me not to know the health of my grandmother.
Thank you to the person who brought it to my attention. I did get to talk to my grandmother and she is doing well now. I miss her so much and am hopeful I’ll be able to come visit soon. Thank you, family members, who understand what I’m going through. Please make sure I am up to date if a family member is unable to call me.
I hope that one day we will all be able to put things behind us and have the strength to be a family. A family who loves each other. A family who actually understands what the Bible says and knows how one should act. A family that communicates. Please, if nothing else, a family that communicates.
With Love,
A.
$10 for what?
20 Aug 2010 Leave a Comment
Dear School,
I’m going to need a transcript and I’m not going to need you to charge me $10 because I need it on paper with a seal. What the heck? Whatever happened to a postage stamp? I know it doesn’t cost $10 for you to print out a little paper saying I have 75 credit hours, stamp it with your little school seal, and mail it to me. Seriously? I’ll buy the postage stamp, mail it to you along with an envelope already addressed to me, and it will still be cheaper. I could do it through FedEx and still pay less. Come on now! I’m already paying you so much money for my education that when I’m done I could easily buy the beautiful black Jaguar I’ve always wanted.
Yes, I understand if you send it to me through my email I can print it out for free. Yes, I understand I can print out an entire summary of my schooling in the past two years for free. But I need the $10 one. Argh!
Nothing more to say,
A.
what would nobody do?
20 Aug 2010 Leave a Comment
Dear Nobody,
I have been thinking of you so much and I know you’re going to laugh when I tell you why. I just recently moved and all of my boxes in the kitchen are driving me nuts… but I just cannot unpack them yet. Why? Because I don’t know where I want to place specific items. I found myself thinking of you, “Would Nobody put the cups and plates by the fridge or the sink?” We both know that things have a right place, and there is nothing wrong with having the plates in one cabinet one day, and the next they’re on the other side of the room. There are a few things that don’t feel right in the kitchen and I wish you could come over, have a cup of coffee, and we could discuss my kitchen problems because you might possibly be the only person who can relate and actually give good advice!
As I sit under a baked-bean colored street light because I have forgotten the key to get into the free-internet clubhouse where I live, I cannot help but wonder if I’m going to find the energy to unpack my beloved stoneware tonight. I’ll need at least an hour to find the right spot. And there’s no guarantee that it will be in that same spot in a month.
peacelovecoffee to you!
A.
Start at Home
15 Aug 2010 Leave a Comment
in children
Dear Americans saving children in other countries,
I think it is wonderful that you are so dedicated to the children around the world. You encourage us and tell us that for only pennies a day we can buy food and a home for these families. I heard on the radio tonight that $68 will save a girl in Africa by putting her in a christian home where someone can properly care for her. I think it is wonderful that there are programs like this. These children need a chance in life.
My question to you is this: Why not start in America? There are children without food here too. There are children being abused, neglected, sold, starved, and left in trash cans. What are you doing to take care of your home country? I’ve been told often to take care of myself and my family first. If I cannot do that then how am I supposed to help others? The same should go for our country. Sure, helping other countries out is wonderful, but why not help out America as well? There are children I know who don’t get fed for dinner. There are children I know who have been abused. I’ll give $100 a day if it means a better life for these children. There is a child I knew that I wanted to take her home with me so bad! This is why I could never be a social worker, every child would just have to come home with me.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication, but I cannot sign on with your company. As much as I would love to, I just can’t. I want to help the children here first.
A.
Watch your mouth
14 Aug 2010 Leave a Comment
in chatty
Dear Filter,
You need to exist at all times between my brain and my mouth. After a conversation today with my mom (and later on with a friend) I was reminded that sometimes, Mr. Filter, you are absent from me. Whenever I am feeling a strong emotion you seem to disappear, allowing me to say the first thing that comes to my mind. Sometimes this is ok, but if the strong emotion is anger or disbelief I tend regret my lack of thinking things through. Maybe it’s genetics because my mom says I get it honest. But whatever the reason, I would like for my choice of words to be better, or even that hint of, “if you can’t say anything nice…”
I missed you today. Please return soon.
Carefully Written,
A.
p.s. Dear Lord, please make my words sweet as honey, for tomorrow I might have to eat them. Amen.
Goodbye
13 Aug 2010 Leave a Comment
in work
Dear old job,
Today is my last day with you. It has been a great experience for me, but it is time to part. To the leader-keep your head up. To the second-in-command- stay true to yourself. To the newbie- hang in there! To the staff- you guys made work that much easier. To my kiddos- oh how I’m going to miss you all! I love you like my own children. To the parents- you are all so special to me! And to the cook- you are crazy dude!
Today is equally hard and easy. So much going on to help my decision, but so much to make me think. I will miss this wonderful place that I have called my second home for the last year… but I’m leaving all the stress at the door as I clock out one last time this afternoon. I’m off to be where I have been before, yet it will all seem so new. I’m so excited, but can’t help but feel like I’m leaving so much behind. I hope the potential you hold will bloom quickly for us all to see!
Farewell,
A.
To You!
11 Aug 2010 Leave a Comment
in reader
Dear Reader,
Today I start my new adventure that has been sitting in the back of my mind for a while. I have a lot to say, but sometimes I just don’t get the chance. Or maybe it’s that I’m too afraid. Whatever the reason, there are always things left unsaid. This is my place to put those thoughts. I hope you enjoy reading what I might not be able to say sometimes.
Love,
A.
