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If you haven't read the first part of this, let me just recap that this is something I am writing to give thanks, love or appreciation (or all three) to people. It was prompted by my father's death last month.
I first started writing this with a clear idea of who I wanted to write about and when, at least for the first dozen or so, starting with immediate family and then breaking into a chronological list. It hasn't stayed like that. Honestly, I write about a person that day because there is something that made me want to write about them that day. It is not because somebody listed near the beginning is any more or less important than someone near the end of the list, only that they crossed my mind in particular that day. I had a couple of other rules for myself, one of which I've already broken. Maybe when I complete this I will let you know all the rules I broke.
Heart Truth #13: Scott (or as I know you more, Beeno). This is a different one. When we first met each other, we were friendly, but never the best of friends. I consider myself closer to you as a friend now, and we only communicate here. But you are the only connection I have to Cory, and for that alone, I appreciate you (it also helps you're a funny fella). More times than I can say I've felt guilty, wondering what I could have done, although I don't know I could have done anything for Cory. Thank you for being that connection and helping me to never forget.
Heart Truth #14: Kat, I don't make friends easily. There are few I would call true friends. For sixteen years, you've been one to me. You were my Wonder Twin, who helped more than you know get me through my job. When I moved out of the section away from you, it was nowhere near as fun. Although we've let time (sometimes years) pass by without communicating, I know that I can always turn to you and hope you know the same. I love you, you pint-sized Artemis, server of deer calzones.
Heart Truth # 15: Martha, you are seriously one of the coolest people I know...dude. I know i can always turn to you for hard advice, even if I know I might not enjoy the blunt truth of it. You are an amazing person, probably the only non-family person I could see letting watch my kid for a serious amount of time, and you're going to be a great mother when you get the chance. You gave Robyn more than her own mother ever did. I'm glad I had a chance to make up for opportunities I didn't take before, even if it didn't work out. I love you, my favorite candy-thrower.
Heart Truth #16: Sara, you were such coolness I should have known long before I did that you were friends with Kat. You were always awesome to hang around (and I still need to get a Lovesac). Thank you for all the conversations, and being one of the few people I could talk to about Dane at the time. We don't talk nearly as much as we did, but I know I could contact you at any time and talk about anything. Love ya.
Heart Truth #17: Greg, I have had some friends I've known for years with whom I communicate occasionally, sometimes letting weeks or months go by. You probably hold the record for times between communication, probably about 18 or 19 years. I want to thank you for something that hasn't been fully realized yet, which is my re-dedication to writing. I let myself get away from it. The class I had with you was my favorite, and I still have copies of our poems (and my horrible story). Also, thank you for introducing me to Dramarama and They Might Be Giants. "I walk along darkened corridors."
Heart Truth #18: Chad, I want to thank you for being the first and best person I supervised. I don't know that I was ready for that type of thing (and I'm still not sure, as I think I'm better at being a lone wolf, a solitary soldier, a...sorry, got carried away), but you made it unbelievably easy for me, despite your hatred for Christmas trees. I hope one day Seattle wins a World Series...but I won't hold my breath for it.
Heart Truth #19: Carla, you are my cheesecake goddess, my diva of decadence! More importantly than that, though, although we've only known each other a few years and have never met, I consider you a good friend and the person who always pops up whenever I need some good old Facebook volley. Whenever I bring up some trivial or massive event in my life, you are one of the first to lend a voice or an ear. Your cheesecake earned my love, but your friendship is what keeps it. Thank you.
Heart Truth #20: Tracie, there's so much about the Internet that's tedious and soul-sucking, but it can also be amazing, such as when I met you because of it. I know neither of us wanted our journeys to go the way they did, but I'm glad I found someone who always seemed to know exactly what I was going through and with whom I could share tales and advice. Thank you.
Heart Truth #21: Travis, this is a little strange. Our father didn't give either of us much, but at least he gave us each other. I don't know if this is a family trait, or it's just me, because communicating has never been an easy thing for me, but I hope someday we do get to talk some. For now, I appreciate having you and Danette as my Facebook friends. Thank you, my brother.
Heart Truth #22: Chris, many parents say that little matters more than their children's happiness. I count myself among them, and I've not seen Robyn as happy as she is when she is with you. Thank you for bringing joy and love to my daughter's life, and I hope the two of you a lifetime of happiness, and also I'm pretty sure I can completely dispose of bodies of people who disappoint my daughter...but I don't think we have to worry about that.
Heart Truth #23: Lance, I was glad to have someone like you around after I first joined the Air Force. You and Doug always provided me some laughs, especially when I was going through my divorce. Thank you.
Heart Truth #24: Ryan, of all my cousins I used to identify with Eric the most, but over the years I’d say I’ve come to know and appreciate you just as much. When I think of you, I don’t think of you as brave or strong for being able to live as a gay man. Maybe it’s not the point of view others might have, but I just think of you as you. You shouldn’t have to be brave to be who you are. When I think of you and other friends and family, I find it impossible to think that people take so much guidance (and I apologize to the religious among my friends) from a book which, quite honestly, I find so contradictory. You deserve all the happiness in the world. But, seriously, you’re an English teacher--you need to read more.
I first started writing this with a clear idea of who I wanted to write about and when, at least for the first dozen or so, starting with immediate family and then breaking into a chronological list. It hasn't stayed like that. Honestly, I write about a person that day because there is something that made me want to write about them that day. It is not because somebody listed near the beginning is any more or less important than someone near the end of the list, only that they crossed my mind in particular that day. I had a couple of other rules for myself, one of which I've already broken. Maybe when I complete this I will let you know all the rules I broke.
Heart Truth #13: Scott (or as I know you more, Beeno). This is a different one. When we first met each other, we were friendly, but never the best of friends. I consider myself closer to you as a friend now, and we only communicate here. But you are the only connection I have to Cory, and for that alone, I appreciate you (it also helps you're a funny fella). More times than I can say I've felt guilty, wondering what I could have done, although I don't know I could have done anything for Cory. Thank you for being that connection and helping me to never forget.
Heart Truth #14: Kat, I don't make friends easily. There are few I would call true friends. For sixteen years, you've been one to me. You were my Wonder Twin, who helped more than you know get me through my job. When I moved out of the section away from you, it was nowhere near as fun. Although we've let time (sometimes years) pass by without communicating, I know that I can always turn to you and hope you know the same. I love you, you pint-sized Artemis, server of deer calzones.
Heart Truth # 15: Martha, you are seriously one of the coolest people I know...dude. I know i can always turn to you for hard advice, even if I know I might not enjoy the blunt truth of it. You are an amazing person, probably the only non-family person I could see letting watch my kid for a serious amount of time, and you're going to be a great mother when you get the chance. You gave Robyn more than her own mother ever did. I'm glad I had a chance to make up for opportunities I didn't take before, even if it didn't work out. I love you, my favorite candy-thrower.
Heart Truth #16: Sara, you were such coolness I should have known long before I did that you were friends with Kat. You were always awesome to hang around (and I still need to get a Lovesac). Thank you for all the conversations, and being one of the few people I could talk to about Dane at the time. We don't talk nearly as much as we did, but I know I could contact you at any time and talk about anything. Love ya.
Heart Truth #17: Greg, I have had some friends I've known for years with whom I communicate occasionally, sometimes letting weeks or months go by. You probably hold the record for times between communication, probably about 18 or 19 years. I want to thank you for something that hasn't been fully realized yet, which is my re-dedication to writing. I let myself get away from it. The class I had with you was my favorite, and I still have copies of our poems (and my horrible story). Also, thank you for introducing me to Dramarama and They Might Be Giants. "I walk along darkened corridors."
Heart Truth #18: Chad, I want to thank you for being the first and best person I supervised. I don't know that I was ready for that type of thing (and I'm still not sure, as I think I'm better at being a lone wolf, a solitary soldier, a...sorry, got carried away), but you made it unbelievably easy for me, despite your hatred for Christmas trees. I hope one day Seattle wins a World Series...but I won't hold my breath for it.
Heart Truth #19: Carla, you are my cheesecake goddess, my diva of decadence! More importantly than that, though, although we've only known each other a few years and have never met, I consider you a good friend and the person who always pops up whenever I need some good old Facebook volley. Whenever I bring up some trivial or massive event in my life, you are one of the first to lend a voice or an ear. Your cheesecake earned my love, but your friendship is what keeps it. Thank you.
Heart Truth #20: Tracie, there's so much about the Internet that's tedious and soul-sucking, but it can also be amazing, such as when I met you because of it. I know neither of us wanted our journeys to go the way they did, but I'm glad I found someone who always seemed to know exactly what I was going through and with whom I could share tales and advice. Thank you.
Heart Truth #21: Travis, this is a little strange. Our father didn't give either of us much, but at least he gave us each other. I don't know if this is a family trait, or it's just me, because communicating has never been an easy thing for me, but I hope someday we do get to talk some. For now, I appreciate having you and Danette as my Facebook friends. Thank you, my brother.
Heart Truth #22: Chris, many parents say that little matters more than their children's happiness. I count myself among them, and I've not seen Robyn as happy as she is when she is with you. Thank you for bringing joy and love to my daughter's life, and I hope the two of you a lifetime of happiness, and also I'm pretty sure I can completely dispose of bodies of people who disappoint my daughter...but I don't think we have to worry about that.
Heart Truth #23: Lance, I was glad to have someone like you around after I first joined the Air Force. You and Doug always provided me some laughs, especially when I was going through my divorce. Thank you.
Heart Truth #24: Ryan, of all my cousins I used to identify with Eric the most, but over the years I’d say I’ve come to know and appreciate you just as much. When I think of you, I don’t think of you as brave or strong for being able to live as a gay man. Maybe it’s not the point of view others might have, but I just think of you as you. You shouldn’t have to be brave to be who you are. When I think of you and other friends and family, I find it impossible to think that people take so much guidance (and I apologize to the religious among my friends) from a book which, quite honestly, I find so contradictory. You deserve all the happiness in the world. But, seriously, you’re an English teacher--you need to read more.
