I love Joy. It’s spontaneous, it’s new, it’s always unexpected, but it always feels so good.

I love Joy; it’s simple, not complicated; it doesn’t boast or brag; it’s just simply exhilarating.

I love Joy, the only time I don’t feel down. Joy feels like running through a field of flowers, being hugged for a very long time, and laughing so much that tears roll down your eyes. Joy is so beautiful. Even thinking about it brings a smile; there is no doubt about it. I think I may just share the love of my life. I don’t mind sharing because we all need Joy. It’s irreplaceable, unforgettable; it’s embedded in our hearts and minds. I love Joy, don’t you?

You never had a name, but you held pieces of my life like a time capsule strapped in with a faulty seatbelt.

You smelled like gas station slushies and the kind of freedom that only exists when you’re seventeen and think the world is stretching itself out just for you. Your black fabric interior was grayed with time, sticky with coffee spills and summer sweat of too many people crammed into a space meant for one. The same people who ripped you at the seams, the tearing of your undersides unheard through their mirthful laughter.

You groaned under the weight of my best friend, legs curled up as she ranted about boys who didn’t deserve her and dreams that felt just out of reach. You carried the ghosts of our giggles and screams, our half-sung lyrics shouted over static-filled speakers, our whispered confessions at 2 AM when the roads were empty and the only light came from flickering neon signs.

You were there the first time I drove without checking Google Maps, trusting muscle memory to take me where I needed to go. You watched me fumble for the right words when I sat in the driver’s seat next to him, my first almost-love, my first heartbreak before the heartbreak even happened. You were the only witness to the way I gripped the wheel too tight when he left, my knuckles white as if I could steer myself away from missing him.

You soaked in the silences, too. The nights I didn’t pick up the phone, the times I sat in the Macy’s parking lot alone, staring at the fog on the windshield like it held answers. The long drives to nowhere just to feel like I was moving, just to let the air rush in through the open windows and carry away whatever was pressing against my ribs.

And then, one day, I left you behind.

You stayed in a driveway that wasn’t mine anymore, watching someone else take the wheel, someone who didn’t know that your glove compartment held a crumpled movie ticket from the night I first realized I was happy, or that there was a tiny scar in the upholstery from where my friend stabbed a pen into the seat during an overdramatic retelling of a story. They wouldn’t know that I once sat in that seat, staring at my hands, trying to decide whether to take a leap or stay safe.

I wonder if you miss me. If you carry echoes of my youth in your worn-down cushions, if traces of my old dollar store perfume still linger in your faded fabric, if my laughter is still tucked into your seams. I wonder if you ever feel empty without us.

Because some days, when I pass a car that looks a little too much like you, I feel empty, too.

☕Oh how I love thee.

Just the thought of you makes me smile.

Your fragrance brings me pure glee.

I can only be apart from you for a short while.

☕ Joe, I really love you!

A cup of you that is!

Oh how I long for the sound of your brew.

I love the energy you give!

☕You keep me warm on cold nights.

Just one sip is all it takes!

If it’s a hot day I can get you iced.

I will cry real tears if my coffee machine breaks!

☕ You are called by many names.

Java, Espresso, even liquid gold.

When it comes to my coffee, I play no games.

Sipping a nice, hot cup of coffee will never get old.

☕You bring people together.

When you are around, it’s so easy to sit and chat.

I love having you near no matter the weather.

When I first wake up, I must have you stat!

☕A day without you truly makes me sad.

Some may even say they won’t survive the day without you!

Starting the day with you truly makes me glad.

If I wake up cranky, one sip of you makes me feel brand new!

☕I can bring you with me on the go.

Or I can simply enjoy you at home.

I will always love you, that much I know.

I will keep you with me no matter how far I roam.

☕You have always been there for me.

Through all my ups and downs.

Oh how I love thee coffee.

I will always keep you around.

Thank you for stepping up. As a solo mom of four daughters, I’ve relied on you more than I ever realized. You weren’t just a game in our lives—you were a co-parent, a mentor, a teacher, and a guiding force. You raised up daughters who know their worth, chase their dreams, and push forward with grit and resilience. I owe you everything.

Tonight, I walked onto the court for the last time on Senior Night. My youngest, my 5’7” defensive-minded rebounding daughter, will graduate in a few months. Her three older sisters have moved on—one 23, one 22, another 20—each charting their own course, shaped in part by the lessons you taught them.

Basketball, you stepped in where a father wasn’t. When my daughter chose you in 3rd grade, you didn’t just give her a sport—you gave her a foundation. You gave her discipline, accountability, and a team that became family. You taught her that effort matters more than talent, that setbacks build strength, and that winning isn’t about playing time or personal stats—it’s about commitment, teamwork, and heart.

Without a stable foundation, too many girls lose sight of their dreams. They shift their focus, chasing relationships instead of purpose, and before they know it, their potential slips away. I’ve seen it time and time again. But because of you, Basketball, my daughters never lost themselves. You gave them something bigger to fight for. You kept them focused, determined, and strong.

Reading the diaries of teenage girls during my 17 years of teaching showed me how often we fail our daughters. I got so much wrong. But you, Basketball—you filled in the gaps.

You taught them that success isn’t handed out—it’s earned through extra reps, unseen hours in the gym, and the resilience to push through failure. You showed them that body type doesn’t define ability, that hard work outweighs talent, and that leadership isn’t about scoring—it’s about lifting others.

A female athlete will walk through fire for someone who believes in her. Too many coaches don’t understand this, but my daughters were blessed with ones who did.

So thank you, Basketball, for believing in my girls. For bringing us to this small town in Northern Missouri, where you helped shape them into strong, independent women.

I used to think the destination mattered most—the championships, the scholarships, the accolades. But you showed me it was never about that. It was about the journey. The hours spent in the gym. The late-night car rides after tough losses. The pride in watching my daughters hustle, rebound, and instinctively pass before remembering they could score, too.

It was about watching them grow—not just into athletes, but into women who know how to fight for their place in the world. Women who understand teamwork, leadership, and resilience. Women who will take these lessons beyond the court—into college, careers, and life.

Basketball, you were more than a sport. You were a father when there wasn’t one. A guide when I fell short. And a lifelong teacher of what it means to work hard, believe in yourself, and never back down.

For that, I am forever grateful.

Your Biggest Fan,

I love my 1999 Little Blue Honda, Now it’s not the best little car and it has Many Flaws, but it’s a blessing in disguise, I was in need of a car and this car fell into my lap for $200 dollars, but it wasn’t that on my Anniversary this little car ran hot, and I was able to to get it fixed (temporarily) in the end the head gasket was blown and I got blessed and got it repaired, well I did a paint job, seat covers, dash covers and painted the wheels, but it wasn’t fixed it would need a Motor, and my job would take out $100 a week for 17 weeks, but Man it was WORTH IT, I ended up getting it back STRONGER than ever until the heat messed up, but honestly I didn’t care, the Turkster and I had a bond ( it’s my First Honda) yes it has it’s Flaw’s and No heat, but Man it’s got a Sunroof and a Aftermarket cd player, This Thursday will be 2 weeks I got a Charger, BUT I HAVE A BOND with my Honda, I feel complete with this car.I LOVE MY CAR.ITS BEEN A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

Dear Grandma’s House,

Every Christmas Eve you were my favorite place to go. I would come into the kitchen when I was a child and the smell of cookies would fill my nostrils. Then everyone I loved the most would greet me with hugs and kisses. I would go into the living room to put my present under the tree. Grandma always had a small tree with lots of presents. I would go into the kitchen for Christmas dinner and eat with my family. Then we would gather around in the living room. Grandma would pass out of the presents one by one and then we would take turns opening them. Even if grandma’s house didn’t have presents or a Christmas tree it wouldn’t matter. It is the memories attached to this place that I never want to lose. Grandma’s house is the only place in my life that has never changed. I always want to return here no matter what happens.

Within the embrace of weightless leaves bound together, I find solace,
A dream that welcomes me in the midst of my reality,
Transporting me to places imaginable yet terribly unlikely to be found.
As chaos ensues around me and emotions within me tangle among themselves,
Inviting that chaos within me,
My soul aches for easement, my mind longs for a place of calm.
Within the stories of another’s imagination, I travel,
And for a moment,
I am no longer conscious.
My soul is no longer here;
It has melded into the novels of my reading.
I become a character unbound by the laws of reality,
The wonder of such a journey is something I constantly seek,
Something that makes my heart no longer succumb to the grip of anxiety.
Oh, how I love to read.

Love comes in many
Forms, it doesn’t
Have to be sexual.
The concept of love
Is different for each and
Everyone of us.
Some love to touch,
While others love to talk,
Hear the reassuring sound
From the words that come out.
Love is expensive and expressive.
It’s addictive but don’t get it twisted,
The words “I LOVE YOU” don’t mean shit.
Love is a feeling that is revealing through
The ears, the eyes, can be touched from
Vibrations of the frequency of the voice.
Once you hear that certain noise,
Ears perk up like a dog, now you’re filled
With joy. Even the scent can bring some
Love as your brain ignites and triggers
A wonderful feeling from inside.
Love struck like lightning from deep
Inside my mind, I had to express Myself.
I’ve felt love from plenty.
I’ve showed love, also experienced
& expressed it gradually.
Without loving myself,how
Could I show it,
Love is diverse
& driven from Emotions.

I am grateful to my strength
Who has taught me to survive
In the war at home
Where little light shines, there is no such thing as “to thrive”
My feet forced to stand in the mud and cold
Knowing full well gangrene taking hold
Eyes crusted
Lungs on fire
My strength gives the order to amputate
Life is too precious to give in to desire

I am grateful to my strength
Who taught me resilience
In the darkest of times
Who taught me to appreciate the joy
As fleeting as my rhymes
I love the strength I have cultivated
When no one taught me how
The seed planted to rooted
I just didn’t know
How
deep these gentle seeds would sow
I’ll surrender now, sit back
Watch you grow

To my very first love,

I don’t know how I fell in love you. I would love to remember. Maybe when I was younger just a toddler? Or maybe when I was a preteen in small town. It feels like I have been married to you. You’re there for me when I need a friend, you’re there for me when I need a space to be lifted up. You’re there in my melancholic moments. You cherish our happy moments, even though sometimes the heartbreak is undeniable you help me find the hope that still puts the pieces together. You are the longest relationship I’ve ever been in. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I have seen you evolve. But whatever you were before me I never got experience. Sometimes I judge you, sometimes I go with the flow. I love every piece of you. If you left my life in any form I would go crazy. You will be my last testimony when I die. You will be introduced to many people when that happens, because with you have a gift that can heal broken hearts. I want you to be their comfort when I am gone. When that happens you will give three important people a gift. A gift that you and I share. It’s something small kind of expensive but if these people know, what you are going to give to them is what I use everyday and what made you become apart of me. They know how much I love you. They’ve seen us grow together. And each of those gifts that you will give to them you gave to me and each of them will get a custom one.
Enough of the sadness of the future.

I have you tattooed on my arm. Is it a sin that my first love is tattooed on my arm? Don’t worry it won’t be the first. I have plans of another that will continue my love for you.
You’re there when I drive, you’re there in my dreams at night, you’re next to me all the time. You’re my best ally. You never left me.

You go by many different names. Thousands maybe millions of names. You have different aspects to you I love. I met you the real you in choir. And we went into a class where we studied melodies and theory.

Every time I pick up my phone to call you, you answer. Loving you has never been easy but you’ve been apart of me. We sing and dance in the kitchen now and when we used to do it my teal bedroom. I still have artifacts of you throughout the years and you should bring some back because I honestly think it’s hot.
You’re classy, can be trashy sometimes. But I wouldn’t trade you for anything.

You have friends that help shape you that I fall in love with time after time. I see you win awards with those friends. And when you go out, you make it a good time. Even though I hate Valentine’s Day, you make every day feel like it. You can turn the most melancholic melodies into something to live for.
You’ve showed me loss, faith, forgiveness.

Thank you.

I’m about to be 24 and you’ve guided me through life.
At 24 I know I will always love you.

This is to my very first love: Music

You’re the best thing in the world. Thank you for the headphones (that I will never leave the house with) the stories through cds, the artists.

Thank you for letting me love you.

Forever & always

Dear Silk’s Brazilian Burger,

I quake at the smell of you. The fullness of your flavor excites every taste bud my tongue can muster when I take you in.

Mustard and ketchup, lettuce and bacon, American cheese, and, of course, a runny yolk fried egg on top.

A bun is only necessary so I can wrap my hands around you and pull you near and into me.

Medium well, pink in the middle, is the perfect way to grill you, my angus beef patty.

I hunger for you.

Play with my senses no more.

Let me have you.

At last you arrive at my table.

Fries on the side.

Xoxo

Love Letter To Time
I love you Time
You are so precious to Me.
You are Mine for a Season
This I can See-

Sometimes I neglect You
I mean you no Harm.
If you were human I would hold you tightly in my Arms-

Time you are so Special
I long for you each Day.
You slip through my Fingers
Like air you’ve blown Away-

Time I am a desperate Fool
I need you with me Forever.
I’m so afraid of losing you-
Will we always be Together?

Help me keep you Time.
Show me what to Do-
Are you on my Side?
I will always love You!

Please don’t leave me Now
You are my Champion.
Time you’re all I have, my one & only Companion-

I will cherish you wisely Dear-
Please be faithful & never Stray.
If you must at some time Go,
Be assured that I loved you more than one could ever know-

I leave you now with my hopes of Forever.
I’ll spend eternity with you my Love my Time one way or Another-
The one thing that’s never left Me.
Time my Friend, My Love, My Beloved

The End

Deary Body,
We have not always had an easy relationship. When you were first hurt and violated, we were young I didn’t know it wasn’t our fault. I’m sorry I thought there must be something wrong with us. Thank you for helping me when I sought to become physically strong, thinking that would prevent us from being hurt again. Thank you for responding all the times I pushed your limits. I’m sorry for all the times I didn’t listen to the signals you were sending me. I’m sorry I didn’t know how to interpret them. Thank you for showing me when I needed to slow down and even stop moving. Thank you for healing so well every time my desire to constantly move without rest and proper care forced something to break.
I’m sorry for the times I don’t drink enough water and fuel us with caffeine. I’m sorry for the times I don’t let us get enough sleep. Thank you for carrying me on adventures, running through forests, up mountains, across streams. Thank you for being able to carry heavy weight when I packed my fears on hiking trips, and in life in general.
Thank you for the glory you’ve enabled me to experience. The glory of being a left-handed softball pitcher. The glory of simply being left-handed among multitudes of right-handed people. The glory of sprinting across a rugby pitch alongside teammates who have become life-long friends. The glory of being able to dive for volleyballs, to be part of sports teams. The glory of lifting heavy weights and facing our fears in competition.
Thank you for your ability to translate my creative thoughts into words, drawings, knitting, baked goods. You are so wonderfully capable, and you have enabled me to enjoy life.
I’m sorry for all the times when I felt like I was not enough, that I took it out on you. It was never you who was not good enough, nor was it me. We were always enough. Thank you for bearing the pain of my emotions and for my defiance. Thank you for having the strength to match my spirit, even when I was so courageous I was foolish.
I’m sorry that I spent so much time letting myself believe that your curves were dangerous for us; that I had to hide them in order to stay safe. I’m sorry that I didn’t let myself see your true beauty and I thought your shape was what prevented us from being loved the way we wanted and more importantly, needed.
I’m sorry it took me so long to learn to listen to you, to truly see you and admire you. I’m sorry it took me so long to learn to love you. Thank you for continuing to be your beautiful strong self this whole time. Thank you for showing me how feminine we truly are.
Thank you for the adventures we have yet to embark upon. For the beauty we will experience together. We will still have days of stress, of tension; but we will also have days of joyful movement outdoors. We will have more moments of feeling the ocean breeze in our hair and on our skin. We will taste the salt of the ocean and feel it on our skin. We will be relieved from the sun by cooling waters. We will be sheltered from storms. We will be warmed by blankets and fires on cold blustery days. We will languish in the afternoon sun on the couch or on the deck from time to time. We will try new recipes and taste new foods. We will see many more beautiful sunrises and sunsets. We will hear much more birdsong, the buzzing of bees, the whirring of hummingbirds. Our eyes will feast on the beauty of wildflowers. We will listen to beautiful music that helps us to heal and music that makes us move. We will experience the loving embrace of strong arms around us. We will experience the love we deserve.
I am trying to honor your needs more, trying to find stillness and ease. We will have soft days of comfort. You are safe now; there is no need to hold onto the pain you’ve endured.
I love you.

I’ll break my heart
so yours will never again.
That’s my job as your foster mom
For now, your only friend.

Don’t worry about any mess.
It’s nothing I can’t clean.
Right now you’re feeling stress,
The result of humans being mean.

Physically different,
but our souls are the same.
My story, my past,
Just oxygen and fuel to
Continue the flame.

You set the pace, baby.
I’ll take it from there.
From here on out,
You will only know care.

For now, you rest.
We can work towards calm.
Remember, this is my job
I am your foster mom.

Addiction

I’m an addict
And I know it!

I revere two of the three Cs:
Coffee, candy, and cigarettes.

I love my coffee alone with my contemplation
Of life, likes, posts, news, like a great commotion,

Flitting from one to the next trying to see
What’s best before I rest to be free.

Posts galore and replies of mine
Make my day, as the taste of Coffee

Feels like a sinful pleasure.
With my dark drink, I bite into chocolate,

And drift into a coma at heaven’s gate.
I savor the sweetness along the strength

Of body of the coffee and it’s bitterness.

Life with the morning rituals
Cake, candy, chocolate, coffee and sweets

Is like life without a hero like Ferrero,
Or Cadbury, Mars, KitKat, and Aero!

Raising the bar in a day filled
With noise, poised to litter the mind

With fear, worry, and being drear!
So my habitual start is set in stone:

Coffee, contemplation, quiet that have
A lead to social media, news, where I refuse

To succumb to its dadarkness
That needs to twist your morning addictions

Into a depressive, foggy darkness.
Let your coffee’s wisdom fill
Your empty cup with hope that will

Reject solidifying into despair,
But reaches in your depths to repair.
©️ Malak kalmoni chehab ©️