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I was originally going to write 61 of these, one for each year of my father’s life, but I started to find it more difficult to write, especially given the parameters I gave myself. So here are the ones I wrote on Facebook, plus a few additional ones.
Heart Truth #25: Anne and Beth, with all due respect to my other aunts, you have always been the ones I have been closest to. Unfortunately, time and distance have made it more difficult to communicate as much as we used to, although I hope to change that. I miss seeing the two of you in South Carolina. I hope one of these years I'm able to go back again. I love you.
Heart Truth #26: Kim, I'm pretty sure everybody has those people they encounter in life who aren't going to be THE one, but with whom you still are glad they're in your life. I was having many issues after my separation, and you were the first person who helped me get past that. Since then, I think you're an amazing friend and an amazing person, and I'm sorry I still have your Mentalist DVDs. Here's hoping you have a long life with the prince you deserve. Love and thanks.
Heart Truth #27: This one is a bit of a scatter-shot. I don't want to thank one specific person, but all those people who have been instrumental in my love of books and writing, from my mom, who first installed in my love of reading; Mr. Moody, who was willing to discuss books with me and whom I finally forgive for introducing me to Billy Budd and that damn whale novel; Stephen King, who is the first person I remember reading, specifically the stories The Mangler and The Boogeyman when I was eight years old (so, yeah, I was destined to be a little warped); and anybody who has talked about books with me or recommended one, and all the authors over the years who have provided me hours upon hours upon infinite hours of joy.
Heart Truth #28: Marsha, you are really the only connection I have to my father before I existed (except for my mother, of course). I appreciate your friendship, and I appreciate that you made the attempt to bridge that gap between my father and me. Even now I sometimes wish when you said he was there and asked me if I wanted to talk to him that I had actually agreed to. Links are easily broken. Thank you for strengthening this one.
Heart Truth #29: Kelly, we've only known each other a few years, but I already know that you are one of the people who I can talk to at any point and you would be there to give advice or just listen. I appreciate your friendship. Love ya.
Heart Truth #30: Teresa, I met a few people after I separated that were friends for a short time, and others who I still count as friends today and with whom I see being friends with for a long time. I count myself lucky to have you as one of them. Love ya, and I still owe you a hike.
Heart Truth #31: The Air Force, there have been times, especially in the last few years of my enlistment, when I wasn't terribly fond of you. Because of you, I had to endure people I shudder to think about and I've spent roughly a quarter of my career in meeting after meeting. But also because of you I have people who have been (and will continue to be) my friends for 5, 10, 15, 20 years. Because of you, I found something to do when I was working in a chicken plant with a pregnant wife, and because of you I have my college degree. So, thank you, Air Force, and my good thoughts are with those of you still in in (except for a civilian or two...shudder).
Heart Truth #32: Cory, I knew when I met you getting off the plane in Germany that you would be a lifelong friend. I just didn't know that life would be so short. Here are some things I learned from you: never think there is no pain behind the smile; speak up (I never would have had that fun but short relationship if not for you); sometimes people use drunkenness to say what they're afraid to sober; watch what you say (nearly 18 years later I still want to kick myself thinking about us joking about the suicide information in the PFE; if only I'd known...). I only knew you three years, but you will always be a part of my life.
Heart Truth #33: Eventually on social media someone will mention a song or musician who "changed my life." That's not me. However, Bruce Springsteen has enhanced my life. I cannot say the number of times I've listened to "Jungleland" (the last two minutes of the song are the best you could ever listen to) during dark times. I know that for any mood I can find a song to enhance it. Thank you, Bruce, and thank you, music, in general.
Heart Truth #34: I've written this before that I don't remember much about my grandfather, even though he didn't die until I was 10, almost 11. What I do remember is he was a full-blooded Frenchman who served in the Navy during the second World War, had a thing for redheads, and was the father to many daughters. He took my mother, sister and I in, and we essentially lived with him for three years. I wish I could remember more than the flashes I have of him, but I cherish what I do remember, and thank him for all he's given me, especially my mother and aunts.
So now some additional ones:
I want to thank everyone who’s ever insulted me, beaten me down, held me down, looked down on me, from the bullies at Chaffin to Mr. Holyfield who threw my notebook across the classroom to the family member (technically) I saw last week who looked down on me because I was working at Walmart (hey, I don’t want to be working there, either, but at this point it’s a job), because all those people help me strive to prove them wrong.
To all the women who have been in my life, from my first crush (and likely the beginning of my fascination with redheads) Ruby, to Dawn and Melinda at Eastside Elementary, to everybody who were, often unfairly, rebounds after my long relationships, I thank you for what you taught me.
To all my family, many of whom have been there for me over the years. We probably don’t talk enough, but I love you.
Heart Truth #25: Anne and Beth, with all due respect to my other aunts, you have always been the ones I have been closest to. Unfortunately, time and distance have made it more difficult to communicate as much as we used to, although I hope to change that. I miss seeing the two of you in South Carolina. I hope one of these years I'm able to go back again. I love you.
Heart Truth #26: Kim, I'm pretty sure everybody has those people they encounter in life who aren't going to be THE one, but with whom you still are glad they're in your life. I was having many issues after my separation, and you were the first person who helped me get past that. Since then, I think you're an amazing friend and an amazing person, and I'm sorry I still have your Mentalist DVDs. Here's hoping you have a long life with the prince you deserve. Love and thanks.
Heart Truth #27: This one is a bit of a scatter-shot. I don't want to thank one specific person, but all those people who have been instrumental in my love of books and writing, from my mom, who first installed in my love of reading; Mr. Moody, who was willing to discuss books with me and whom I finally forgive for introducing me to Billy Budd and that damn whale novel; Stephen King, who is the first person I remember reading, specifically the stories The Mangler and The Boogeyman when I was eight years old (so, yeah, I was destined to be a little warped); and anybody who has talked about books with me or recommended one, and all the authors over the years who have provided me hours upon hours upon infinite hours of joy.
Heart Truth #28: Marsha, you are really the only connection I have to my father before I existed (except for my mother, of course). I appreciate your friendship, and I appreciate that you made the attempt to bridge that gap between my father and me. Even now I sometimes wish when you said he was there and asked me if I wanted to talk to him that I had actually agreed to. Links are easily broken. Thank you for strengthening this one.
Heart Truth #29: Kelly, we've only known each other a few years, but I already know that you are one of the people who I can talk to at any point and you would be there to give advice or just listen. I appreciate your friendship. Love ya.
Heart Truth #30: Teresa, I met a few people after I separated that were friends for a short time, and others who I still count as friends today and with whom I see being friends with for a long time. I count myself lucky to have you as one of them. Love ya, and I still owe you a hike.
Heart Truth #31: The Air Force, there have been times, especially in the last few years of my enlistment, when I wasn't terribly fond of you. Because of you, I had to endure people I shudder to think about and I've spent roughly a quarter of my career in meeting after meeting. But also because of you I have people who have been (and will continue to be) my friends for 5, 10, 15, 20 years. Because of you, I found something to do when I was working in a chicken plant with a pregnant wife, and because of you I have my college degree. So, thank you, Air Force, and my good thoughts are with those of you still in in (except for a civilian or two...shudder).
Heart Truth #32: Cory, I knew when I met you getting off the plane in Germany that you would be a lifelong friend. I just didn't know that life would be so short. Here are some things I learned from you: never think there is no pain behind the smile; speak up (I never would have had that fun but short relationship if not for you); sometimes people use drunkenness to say what they're afraid to sober; watch what you say (nearly 18 years later I still want to kick myself thinking about us joking about the suicide information in the PFE; if only I'd known...). I only knew you three years, but you will always be a part of my life.
Heart Truth #33: Eventually on social media someone will mention a song or musician who "changed my life." That's not me. However, Bruce Springsteen has enhanced my life. I cannot say the number of times I've listened to "Jungleland" (the last two minutes of the song are the best you could ever listen to) during dark times. I know that for any mood I can find a song to enhance it. Thank you, Bruce, and thank you, music, in general.
Heart Truth #34: I've written this before that I don't remember much about my grandfather, even though he didn't die until I was 10, almost 11. What I do remember is he was a full-blooded Frenchman who served in the Navy during the second World War, had a thing for redheads, and was the father to many daughters. He took my mother, sister and I in, and we essentially lived with him for three years. I wish I could remember more than the flashes I have of him, but I cherish what I do remember, and thank him for all he's given me, especially my mother and aunts.
So now some additional ones:
I want to thank everyone who’s ever insulted me, beaten me down, held me down, looked down on me, from the bullies at Chaffin to Mr. Holyfield who threw my notebook across the classroom to the family member (technically) I saw last week who looked down on me because I was working at Walmart (hey, I don’t want to be working there, either, but at this point it’s a job), because all those people help me strive to prove them wrong.
To all the women who have been in my life, from my first crush (and likely the beginning of my fascination with redheads) Ruby, to Dawn and Melinda at Eastside Elementary, to everybody who were, often unfairly, rebounds after my long relationships, I thank you for what you taught me.
To all my family, many of whom have been there for me over the years. We probably don’t talk enough, but I love you.
