Dear Lauren,
I didn’t know how powerful a random photo I took on a cold morning would become. It was 2018 and I took a photo of a westbound train in snowy cold Berea, Ohio. That photo would be the very beginning of fates intervention into my life. A single notification of a liked photo became the catalyst to a new, more positive era in my l […] View
I remember the day I read the letter you wrote with Lauren. I had to stop several times to dry tears from my eyes. You see my Dad is battling cancer right now so it was very personal to me. The thoughts about what you’re both going through saw fit to overwhelm my emotions in that moment. My emotions usually are pretty open so I w…read more
Dear Hannah,
First off I say hello and welcome to the community. I’m glad you’re now a part of The Unsealed.
Reading your letter I see some similar things to how my life has gone. I can’t say I share the same bond with my siblings that you do but it is clear they are a huge part of your life. It’s great to have that kind of relationships with…read more
Thank you! It was just 2 degrees when I snapped this photo and I was holding my camera with bare hands. Not to mention this train was traveling approximately 55mph so as it passed I was hit by an extremely cold gust of wind that sent me retreating to the warmth of my car. It was there that I transferred the photo from my camera to my phone with a…read more
Thank you for the kind words Hannah. I’m not sure there was much wisdom there, but that post was a really great anecdote that really stuck with me. 2022 saw me make the biggest leap in my career aspect as I really leapt up to a better paying job that has eased a lot of my financial worry.
In my low moments, I usually hop in the car and drive…read more
It was only the location I was initially uncomfortable with. As usual there was a fair bit of anxiety with meeting someone new. I remember you spoke of having GAD and I to a fair degree have it as well. At the time I met Lauren I had not told her about the story from July yet. I had feared that story might cast a shadow on who I am, I…read more
Of course, no problem! I also get about going to new places and meeting new people. Anxiety has a funny way to make us see the shadow of ourselves instead of the full stage. I understand about defense mechanisms, keeping people at arms length and trying to read this person intentions like a profiler. But I’m glad Lauren made you feel c…read more
Thank you! It was just 2 degrees when I snapped this photo and I was holding my camera with bare hands. Not to mention this train was traveling approximately 55mph so as it passed I was hit by an extremely cold gust of wind that sent me retreating to the warmth of my car. It was there that I transferred the photo from my camera to my phone with a…read more
I didn’t know how powerful a random photo I took on a cold morning would become. It was 2018 and I took a photo of a westbound train in snowy cold Berea, Ohio. That photo would be the very beginning of fates intervention into my life. A single notification of a liked photo became the catalyst to a new, more positive era in my life.…read more
I remember you sharing this in the writing workshop. I’m glad you posted and shared your experience. It’s funny how fate works when we meet people! Over a picture too, which was just wild and so cool. I liked how Lauren pushed you out of your comfort zone, but you didn’t feel uncomfortable and you guys got to meet up. The genuine…read more
It was only the location I was initially uncomfortable with. As usual there was a fair bit of anxiety with meeting someone new. I remember you spoke of having GAD and I to a fair degree have it as well. At the time I met Lauren I had not told her about the story from July yet. I had feared that story might cast a shadow on who I am, I…read more
Of course, no problem! I also get about going to new places and meeting new people. Anxiety has a funny way to make us see the shadow of ourselves instead of the full stage. I understand about defense mechanisms, keeping people at arms length and trying to read this person intentions like a profiler. But I’m glad Lauren made you feel c…read more
Thank you! It was just 2 degrees when I snapped this photo and I was holding my camera with bare hands. Not to mention this train was traveling approximately 55mph so as it passed I was hit by an extremely cold gust of wind that sent me retreating to the warmth of my car. It was there that I transferred the photo from my camera to my phone with a…read more
Reading your letter here made me think of one of my favorite quotes. Henry David Thoreau was quoted saying
“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”
I read this and thought how perfectly it fits your…read more
Really, really, thank you for your kind words. This subject is very sensitive to me, so it really makes me smile and it’s a good thing to see so much positivity.
I like the quote, I could relate so much, and I was nodding. I was never the one who liked following a crowd, I loved doing my own thing, and going by my pace has truly…read more
I remember the day my Dad brought you home. You were supposed to be a gift for my Mom, but we all loved you. You were this timid little border collie puppy but you weren’t the usual color of one. Instead of being black and white, you were a copper color, hence we named you Cinnamon. You made our home a different place. You made i…read more
A springtime promise kept
Pulls me forth from the melancholy
Like the trees my love buds and blossoms
Anew in sight of the beauty of you
Awakened from the slumber of years
Summer days spent lying flat
Staring at the bluest of skies
Seeing reflections of the clouds passing by
In a pair of eyes that contain the world
That I belong forever in
I try to brighten other people’s loves because I’ve had enough experience on the other side of the coin to want to make it so others don’t have to have those experiences. It altered my perspective as a young child and made me the person I am today. I don’t have much, but I try to share as much of it as I possibly can.
The Equalizer was a good movie. I do feel it was made to cash in on the success of the John Wick movies. Though there’s a lot more character connection with his character than you get with John Wick. I actually ended up watching the sequel first and then the first movie. I’ve heard that he is doing another one sometime. I’ll be definitely watching.
It’s never easy. I was thinking more in depth about this over the weekend. As I was leaving work the night this crime took place, I watched this guy drive by my work. He was likely on his way to the house where he committed these murders. If only I had realized it then and followed him there. Maybe a family wouldn’t be suffering so right now.
The holidays aren’t quite like they were in years gone by. They used to be family and friends and presents and good food. These days it’s just my Father and I. We usually go to a truck stop now and eat dinner. While we are there we usually talk with all those who are on the road instead of at home. We try to cheer them up for bei…read more
Roger, you have such a beautiful heart and you are truly a gift to the world. I love this letter, it is so sweet and truly shows your heart and your character. Merry Xmas. xoxo <3 Lauren
I try to brighten other people’s loves because I’ve had enough experience on the other side of the coin to want to make it so others don’t have to have those experiences. It altered my perspective as a young child and made me the person I am today. I don’t have much, but I try to share as much of it as I possibly can.
Lauren,
Thank you so much for the kind words. It was just such a shock to see that news story breaking and knowing the people that live there. This year hasn’t been the easiest on my emotions. A lot of the hardest things I’ve faced have been the things I avoided dealing with because I either didn’t know how or that they were just too painful. The…read more
This letter is really good. Reading it after hearing you read it during the workshop it really is great. Bernie Mac was one of my favorite comedians. One of my favorite movies of his was Mr. 3000, it’s because of baseball that I really got into that movie. Though lost Amidst the belly aching laughter in that movie is a great story about…read more
Mr. 3000 is a good movie. You’re right about his character going through a journey to become a team player. I love Head Of State! That’s one of my favorite movies! Chris Rock and Bernie Mac were so good together. Bernie killed me throughout the whole movie. Yeah, it’s wild that Barrack Obama became president a few years after that…read more
As the stroke of midnight I wasn’t actively thinking of you. I was jamming to an awesome new track a friend had released a few moments earlier. I supposed after the painful times 2021 had left me with that you would be at least better. There was a lot I meant to accomplish. For the first time in almost a decade I wasn’t out dri…read more
Hi Roger. I loved the part in your letter about the glass being refillable. So many times I forget that. It’s such a unique perspective to have. Going further into 2023 I will try to keep that in mind during both the highs and the lows. Thank you for sharing your hope and wisdom with us. 🙂
Thank you for the kind words Hannah. I’m not sure there was much wisdom there, but that post was a really great anecdote that really stuck with me. 2022 saw me make the biggest leap in my career aspect as I really leapt up to a better paying job that has eased a lot of my financial worry.
In my low moments, I usually hop in the car and drive…read more
Yea well that’s one of my more desirable traits. If it’s mechanical usually can figure it out. When it comes to people and especially love, I’m just as clueless as the next person is lol. I’ve been told I should be a mechanic but a few things prevent me from acting upon that, one of those is my temper. If I were to skin a knuckle I’d be explaining…read more
Well the bus wouldn’t start. The mechanic working for universal studios wasn’t really well versed with busses. They have 2 batteries and one was dead. Knew what battery it was and where to get one. So they were really happy. It’s just part of my crazy ability to react when I see stuff.
That’s a shocker. You would think a mechanic working for universal studios would be a master with fixing a bus. It’s good you were on the scene and knew how to react to the problem.
Yea well that’s one of my more desirable traits. If it’s mechanical usually can figure it out. When it comes to people and especially love, I’m just as clueless as the next person is lol. I’ve been told I should be a mechanic but a few things prevent me from acting upon that, one of those is my temper. If I were to skin a knuckle I’d be explaining…read more
It was filmed mostly in Pittsburgh. The hotel that he stays at was along PA 65 near Sewickley, PA. It’s now additional parking for a fancy Audi dealer. Yea the movie is going to be called Shooting Stars. If my scene makes it, it will be a scene where LeBron gets off a city bus to go to school and you’ll see me in Caroline passing the bus. I ended…read more
Well the bus wouldn’t start. The mechanic working for universal studios wasn’t really well versed with busses. They have 2 batteries and one was dead. Knew what battery it was and where to get one. So they were really happy. It’s just part of my crazy ability to react when I see stuff.
That’s a shocker. You would think a mechanic working for universal studios would be a master with fixing a bus. It’s good you were on the scene and knew how to react to the problem.
Yea well that’s one of my more desirable traits. If it’s mechanical usually can figure it out. When it comes to people and especially love, I’m just as clueless as the next person is lol. I’ve been told I should be a mechanic but a few things prevent me from acting upon that, one of those is my temper. If I were to skin a knuckle I’d be explaining…read more