January 2010
16 posts
Hidden in my heart
Dear JPL,
It has been five years since I have seen you, yet not a day goes by the I don’t think of you. My life is still surrounded by things you gave me and often a word, a scent, or name brings you to mind. You loved me unconditionally for so many years, waiting patiently for me to raise my children, settled in with a new job, remodel my house…excuse after excuse, you waited for...
Stay in my dreams
Hello my son,
I know that you’re listening to me, and I know that you’re watching and that you understand what I’m writing to you. Look son, maybe this seems a little absurd, but I always wanted to talk to you. So many of these nights, you are here in my dreams. I see your face, your brilliant, gorgeous little eyes, and your beautiful little body that now is just four years old. I know that when...
You're the best, pal
Dear Miles, Thank you for being a great friend. I never said anything like, “Great job” or “You’re the best, pal” and I really regret not saying those things when they needed to be said. With no doubt you are the greatest best friend I could have ever wished for. I wish that I didn’t move away from Washington to go live in Oregon but, well, things happen for a...
I don't believe no more
Dearest Rabbi Stone,
I used to be in love with my Judaism. I loved learning Torah from you. I loved Hashem1, Torah and the commandments so, so dearly. My rebbi2, you set my soul on fire with wonder and delight. I was to be a servant of G-d for the rest of my life. Your class, my Judaism: It rocked my world.
But, Rabbi Stone, after teaching me in 7th grade, you moved to Pittsburgh. Immediately,...
Thank you for dumping me
Dear Peter, Hope you remember me. I haven’t seen you in a long time. I should have written this thank you letter many years ago. Yes, a thank you letter.
We met when I was eighteen and you were twenty-eight. WWII had just ended and you returned—the handsome uncle of my best friend. I had heard so much about Peter. I never dreamed you’d come home and pay so much attention...
Big Sisters
Dear Sierra,
I wanted to tell you that I like when you offer to do something with me because sometimes big sisters don’t want to play with their younger sisters. Also, I wanted to say thank you because when you do that, you make me feel very lucky and special.
Sincerely,
Zoe, age 9
The Death Card
Dear Leo, I think I have more dreams with you in them than any other identifiable person I know. Even though we parted on good terms, and even though our communications are now limited to twice-a-year how-are-yous for the last ten years, you’re still the face in my dreams that won’t go away. I’m not sure why. We didn’t have a particularly outstanding friendship, ...
Would Have Known Love
Sweetie,
Forty years ago, I made a very difficult decision, one which I have regretted to this day. You see, your daddy and I were having problems, and a child was more than he could handle. So, to keep him happy, I terminated my pregnancy and gave up my chance to see you grow. I am not proud of that decision. In fact, it has brought me a lot of sadness over the years. I would have liked to...
Good for Mankind
Dear Mother,
It has been a long time since I have seen you alive. I hope life for you in heaven has been all of what you hoped it would be. I hope you are having an awesome time with all of our family members who have died before me. I have often wondered what heaven is like this time of year.
I am doing okay these days. I have a few things I need to say to you.
First of all, I want you to...
Your Foggy Reality
Dear Grandma,
I love you, but then you know that. I still think you know it, even though you don’t seem to totally know who I am. You still light up, even if for a brief moment, when I walk in and greet you. Your face still smiles when I give you a hug. The tears still well up when we have to say goodbye. There is something in you that realizes I am someone who loves you and whom you love back.
...
Tables & Chairs
Dear Karen,
I remember one sunny day in September when I was having trouble getting down a heavy, blue metal chair for my table group. You helped me get it down from on top of the desk. I appreciated it so much and I never said thank you.
Much thanks,
MEC, age 10
P.S. I like your name because, in my opinion, it rolls off the tongue very nicely.
As you were carried away
Dear Cutie Pie,
I’m so sorry I didn’t go into the back of the animal hospital with the veterinarian and hold you while they put you to sleep.
I can’t remember exactly what Mother said. I know she thought we should stay in the waiting room, not insist that we go behind those big, white doors where they took you. But I was a teenager. I should have tried to stand up to her.
I can’t remember if...
To Hear your voice
Dear David,
You were my first love, and my only boyfriend all through school. We were inseparable as we laughed at things no one else understood. We traced “I love you” on each others palms during class and planned for our getaway to Hawaii. I guess everyone thought we would marry one day. We thought so too.
I’ll never forget the morning we camped outside the newspaper office to get the...
You Got Lucky
Dear Jerkface,
I’ve gotten over it; at least I think I have. It’s taken a really long time and numerous failed relationships to understand what happened. I think you should know that I wish I had called the police. I was scared, so you got lucky.
But here’s the kicker—I still think about you. I think about what it could have been like if you hadn’t done that. I think about it but then...
I won't watch you leave
Dear Addiction,
Oh, the times we’ve had, the things we’ve seen, the many things best left unsaid. I wish we both knew the many things that would and did happen. There were many, many good times—summers on the beach, winters in Colorado and Montana, springtime in Northern California, and Fall in New England. There were also many, many bad times—waking up in jail, missing my children...
Rescue Me
Dear mistreated friend, In sixth grade, I was trying to figure out who I was. No matter who asked me, I denied that I didn’t want popularity. However, that was a lie. As you know, I found a group of popular kids that liked me but only if I misbehaved. I put on this tough exterior that now I can’t break. I didn’t realize this until now. I thought I was a better person. They loved to hang with me....