A letter to younger Jim,
Ahh yes…writing to myself as a youngster. So many good times, but yet, the main thing I want to do is grab you and shake you and say “cmon man! get in the game!” lol. More on that in a bit. But moving on. I remember you being pretty shy in your high school days. Not always. But painfully shy in some instances. On […] View
In Carrie Underwood’s song “Some Hearts” she says “some hearts just get lucky sometimes.” I know that’s true. I am so thankful that you had the courage to ask me if you could room with me and Erin. That “yes” brought me a best friend. I’ll spend a lifetime thanking God for making me lucky enough to meet you, to get to know yo…read more
Dear Daddy,
My earliest memory of you was getting a goodbye kiss in the morning before you would go off to work. I would have my head on the pillow and you leaned down, gave me a kiss on the cheek and say I will see you tonight. I was the oldest of 3 girls so I had some special alone time with you. For example, when I was about 8 years old…read more
It’s been nearly 25 years since I last saw you, and what I remember most about you is how you made me feel. Whether at dinner on the holidays, playing cards, or sitting in your living room telling stories, you lived with a joy and zest for life that was so effortless, natural, and contagious.
“Together again.. Mmmmmuuaaahhh, one more time.. mmmuuaaahhh” Drawn back in time to early mornings, jumping in mommy and daddy’s bed, my father’s deep, cheerful yet monotone chant, to give me kisses while singing rings loud in my head in the middle of this present spring time night. May 3rd 2023, My daddy, pops, children’s grandpa, took his last…read more
Beautiful, I lost my father, as well as my mother to whom I was very close, so what you feel for your father, I feel for my mother. Yes, I miss my father as well, but we were never that close. The most I remember of my father is his preaching and his discipline. Our mother was the backbone of our family, the one who was truly there for us, and…read more
“Together again.. Mmmmmuuaaahhh, one more time.. mmmuuaaahhh” Drawn back in time to early mornings, jumping in mommy and daddy’s bed, my father’s deep, cheerful yet monotone chant, to give me kisses while singing rings loud in my head in the middle of this present spring time night. May 3rd 2023, My daddy, pops, children’s grandpa, took his last…read more
This line is so true, “Remember that he wouldn’t want me stressed, heart broken or afraid, but at peace, loved and bold to keep going. ”
He would want you to be at peace and keep going. He sounds like he was and is a wonderful father. I teared up reading your letter. No matter how old we get, I think we a…read more
Have you ever given much thought about plants and how they grow? I have. When I was younger I would sit myself in front of our houseplants captivated by them, observing every minuscule change that had occurred since the last time I’d sat with them. Noticing a plant that looked sickly, dotted with many brown specks a…read more
Thank you for sharing your beautiful reflections on plants, society, and the power of compassion. Your childhood memories of sitting with plants and attempting to revive them with your breath highlight the innocence and wonder we often have as children. While your understanding of the science behind plant growth may have been limited at the time,…read more
Dear Mom, Here is what makes our relationship special.
I am not the only person in the world who thinks they have the world’s greatest mom. But I am the only one who is right. There are so many reasons why you are a great mom. Growing up, you showed up at every dance recital, soccer game, graduation, and field trip. You did my hair as a little…read more
At this point in time, you’ve probably heard the term “Gratitude Practice” in pop culture. It centers on looking at the things in your life through a lens of appreciation. It requires an ability to shift your focus and play up the parts of life that we often overlook. Gratitude practice for me has been a long…read more
I’ve never heard of gratitude practice. I’m glad I’m hearing about it now. Changing your perspective on things and shifting your thoughts from stress to gratitude can’t be extremely beneficial. Just like the saying “stop and smell the roses” there’s also “look at the bright side.” Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for sharing Alicia. This is such an important thing to practice and I needed this reminder. It’s sooo important to practice this during the good times too! When you don’t “need” it. Then it becomes habit and when you’re feeling down you have this tool that is so easily tangible. This reminder to practice gratitude was something that I truly…read more
I will admit sometimes I complain. Some days, I am grumpy and exhausted and feel the world’s weight on my shoulders. When I am knee-deep in those moments, I often go for a walk or rollerblade by the beach, where I look around and take a breath, and I am quickly reminded of how lucky I am. There are so many reasons I have to possess…read more
I’m so glad you have such a strong support system. They’re no better feeling in the world than to have the ones you love to also support you and your passion. Thank you for sharing.
It’s about to get personal here. You’ve been with me for way too long. You’ve torn down my self-confidence, you’ve creeped into the narratives that I tell myself, you have kept me grounded and not in a good way, but in a self-isolating way, you’ve even made a place for yourself in my beliefs. You have long outstayed your welcome and you need…read more
Aww Hannah, this piece really pulled at my heart strings. I am sorry your classmate was so meaner and I am so sorry your teacher didn’t do what she should have done. But you are so sweet, and you are most certainly lovable. I always say, what people say to you about you says more about who they are than who you are… let go of any shame you feel.…read more
This reminded me of the first time I experienced shame. It was the 2nd grade on the playground and a 5th grader told me to get off the monkey bars and before I could she punched me in the stomach. (Pretty hard too.) I never told anyone about it. I even held back my tears so the teachers wouldn’t ask questions. I’m not sure what I did to des…read more
@mavisjohnson I’m so sorry that that happened to you. You did nothing to deserve that. I know that is easier said than to believe, but it is true. That 5th grader was probably hurting inside and didn’t know how to express the hurt they were feeling so it came out sideways and ended up hurting you in the process.
This brought tears to my eye. A reminder to live Life through a child’s eyes so pure and full of joy. Not a worry in the worlds. Oh how I miss those days. Thank you for sharing.
@mavisjohnson I miss those days too. I found a picture of younger me a couple days ago. I was probably 5 or 6 in the picture and I look like I was having the time of my life swinging on a swing. I have even called it my “big Hannah attitude.” It reminds me of when life was much simpler and when I was more care-free. I want to get back to that.
I’m saddened to have read about what you went through last week. No one so young should experience getting shot twice by a homeowner. But sadly, you’ve got to see an extreme side of human nature. Some people have no conscience for human life, as we keep learning through modern news reports.
It’s also disheartening that you went to…read more
Hey Gerald! Your heart never stops amazing me. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful letter. I am going to send them all over to his aunt this week. <3 lauren
Hey Lauren!! You’re very welcome. That’s awesome that you will send these letters to his aunt this week. I hope they make him and his family smile. <3 Gerald
Thank you for showing that people still care about others in this world. A lot of times unfortunately tragedy has to arise for people to care most times. Your heart is in the right place. Thank you. Bless.
You’re welcome. It’s sad but true what you wrote about it taking tragedy for people to care. If only it wasn’t that way most of the time. Appreciate your kind words, Mavis.
I’ve started to lose hope in humanity but after Reading this. There is still a chance that there are people who actually care about others and not themselves. To think that something to this magnitude happened to someone so young breaks my heart.
I hear you, this tragedy hurt my heart. I still don’t want to believe that these things happened. They can make you lose hope in humanity really fast. I like to think that there are still people who care for others besides themselves.
I understand how deeply the tragedy has affected you and how it can shake your faith in humanity. It’s disheartening to witness acts of violence and harm that cause pain and suffering to others. It can be difficult to reconcile such events with the belief that there are still people who genuinely care for others.
I remember the beginning of freshman year of college being worried about if I would be able to make friends as good as the ones I had at home. My naturally shy self wanted a place to fit in and longed for friendships that would be lifelong. Though my floor and I bonded well, I didn’t always feel like I fit in or that my f…read more
Awwwe. This is such a sweet letter. I’m sure Erin would’ve been proud to see her old roomie write such a caring letter about her. I hope you guys stay strong in your relationship. I know that can be hard especially since you guys aren’t roommates anymore I know seeing each other is a lot less than more. Hopefully though when you get married she w…read more
Thank you Kayjah! I did tell her I wrote about her when we did the Monday night writing workshop where we had to write to someone who inspires us. It was a while back and I hadn’t finished the letter till now. Erin and I have definitely still continue to nurture our friendship. Last summer we were in our friends wedding together which meant she c…read more
Like you, I am both a creative and an entrepreneur. Your legacy inspires me beyond measure.
See, this weekend, I visited Walt Disney World, a collection of theme parks named in your honor and developed based on many of your ideas and creations. It’s the second time I have been there just this year and the sixth time in my l…read more
Mr. Disney started with a small idea but a big dream and like you and many others has inspired a long line of dreamers. This letter to him is exactly what his dream was. To inspire.
I love this so much, and I totally agree with you. I’ve only gone once. My daughter took me for my 40th Bday, which she was also celebrating passing the bar for the first time, so it was a great celebration for both of us, and I loved it so much. It was an amazing time, to me, like a dream. I had never experienced such joy during that trip. It was…read more
Awww thank you. I hope you get a chance to go back! You mentioned your daughter before, she sounds like a really sweet person and smart as well. <3 Lauren
I love your perspective of Disney World. I believe we can create any reality we want with proper planning, and patience just like you and Walt Disney. The best part about it bringing joy, and helping others discover themselves in numerous ways!
I remember when I first learned of misogyny, racism and pure hate
I had thought long ago it all reached its expiration date
Clearly, I was wrong
As many are still dancing to an old song
As a young girl, they told me playing sports is a microcosm of adult life
But in the real world, the refs try to prevent me from winning at any
role except…read more
Couldn’t say it better myself. Topics that are sadly still going on today and hasn’t really been resolved even now. A very deep poem that confronts the problems of today’s world.
I’m speechless. This poem is exactly what I’ve been thinking but put into words that can be universally understood. You pain a beautiful picture with your words and perspective. Never stop writing your truth. Thank you for sharing.
I can’t remember the exact day or even the precise year that this memory took place. At the time, I was working for MSG Varsity, a high school sports network in the New York metropolitan area. I was probably about two years out of college and maybe 23 or 24 years old. That job was a breakthrough. It was my first steady on-air job.…read more
I love that the first thing you did was call your dad. You knew he would be so proud of you. You’re one lucky lady to have a supportive father. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Who are you? Autobio- Poem; Return Response, From: Future-Fiction Fantasy (Dream)Come True, FANATIC
Letter To My Future Self Fr
Who are? I’ll tell you ALL you need know.
I Am presently living your life right now.
I am, stabilizing standards for our future success.
The choices I make today effects tomorrow. The present, past and future coexist all in one universe at different times though.
(2023 version) of us;
I am Someone who aspire t…read more
Jessica you are such an incredible human being. There is no one who embodies this idea that you’ve already won more than you! Never ever forget that. You are so powerful, and you have so much love and strength to offer yourself and others, especially young people who need someone like you, to show them the way. Keep becoming more and more of who…read more
Embrace love and be willing to accept it, for you are deserving and worthy of the love that surrounds you. Understand that failure is not permanent but an opportunity to learn and grow. When you stumble, gather the strength to rise again, knowing that you have given your best and that alone is a measure of success.
Thank you for sharing. You are such an amazing and genuine human. Your perspective is so inspiring to everyone. We need more people like to to undo the younger generations.
YES! YES! YES!
Declare those words of fortune. You are amazing. This letter was beautiful and crafted with such inspiration and power. I am Jazzed! Seriously. Reading your letter makes me feel as if anything is possible as long as we do not give up and believe in ourselves. Sometimes, that’s my toughest struggle. Thank you so much. I voted 💜
Our time with you was always filled with special moments, moments filled with adventures that fostered in me a sense of awe and wonder. Though the days could get busy you always made sure we had a few moments impregnated with silence and rest. You spoiled us to no end with the quality time and the many extravagant gifts you gave…read more
This is a beautiful letter. I’m sure she’s looking down and smiling at what a genuine person you are. How beautiful your words are reflect the beauty and love she showed you. Beautiful.
Thank you for your kind comment. I’m literally tearing up right now. All I want is to make my loved ones (living and deceased) proud of me. My memere was definitely one of the most beautiful souls I had the opportunity of meeting. I miss her dearly.
I so love this, it truly touched me, because my mom, as well as my father had Alzheimer’s and both was in a nursing home at the end. It bothered me that they had to be in a place like that, but I (we) couldn’t help them with such a disease and we truly tried, but it really bothered me that my mom was in such a place. I hated so much that they…read more
@kmimsrice I truly believe that even though they may not have been able to name or recognize us cognitively something in their heart knows who we are. When my memere was in the nursing home we would visit a few times a week. When my dad (her son) stepped foot in the room she would light up. I know in my heart that she knew we were family and…read more
You’re right, I know somewhere deep inside of them, they know who we are, maybe not the name, whether we’re family or not, but they recognized that familiarity the comfort of that particular person, and they feel more at ease and loved. Each time I walked into my mom’s room at the nursing home, I too felt so good, that I was there to protect her…read more
Hannah, The future you is going to be soooo thankful for the present you. You are doing everything in your power to the lay the foundation to live your best life. And for that (among other reasons) you should be so very proud. Your heart, your strength, your willingness to be vulnerable and the effort you put into live your best life are all what…read more
Your determination to heal not only benefits you but also paves the way for a future where you can fully experience the freedom and joy of being healed. Your resilience and perseverance will be rewarded.
I often look back on my past self and thank myself for being strong enough to stick around. My younger self would be proud of who we are no. Might not be happy where we are but proud of who we are. Thank you for sharing.
Feet grounded to the shore as ocean bubbles wash over your toes
The tide pulls away and the sand beneath you sinks
Gold flickers of sunset warm your shoulders
Your gaze follows the endless sea of blue
Who is on the other side of that sea?
What waves must you endure to meet them?
Or is the someone on the other side of the sea
Who you will become…read more
Alicia – This is so good!!! I could even visualize your future self talking to your current self. And this line is my absolute favorite, ” Remember the struggles that you are going through right now clear as day, I still carry them with me. Not because they are heavy, but because they are meaningful.” This is so wise and well said and resonates…read more
Your words paint a vivid picture of the ocean’s beauty and the endless possibilities that lie beyond the horizon. The idea of someone waiting for me on the other side of the sea, whether it is another person or the person I will become along the way, fills me with a sense of wonder and excitement. Imagining a message in a bottle reaching my feet,…read more