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Sunday, June 01, 2008

a letter

Dear SomethingBroken,
SomethingPretty,
Two-Headed Boy,
You Know Who You Are,

Greetings. Here is a letter for you. I'm putting it here because I don't see you too much and I'm not sure how I'd say what I'd like to say to you without having to quiet kids in the middle of it all. But seeing you today made me realize how much I feel that I'd like to talk with you about a few things, and so here I use my public forum for a private-ish letter. This is all with the presumption that you do read my blog. (All others are welcomed to follow along, as they wish.)

First: It was, as I told you, so nice to see you today. I was so glad you were there. Did you stick around for the rest of it? I hope no one hassled you about your drink. I know your mom did, but that's what moms do. Speaking of your mom, did you know that during The Mom Class there's a portion at the beginning called something like, "The Good News Minute"? Well, there is. And, guess, it consists of people sharing Their Good News, and this portion lasts approximately A Minute. (I know...staggering.) Today your mom shared Her Good News: her Good News was that you were at church today. She happened to mention that it was because I invited you. I wasn't in the class when she shared this; one of your neighbors told me about it, and when she told me, there were tears in her eyes. I tell you this because you should know that so very many people adore you, and we want to be around you. Like I called out to you today, you have a lot to offer, and I suggest that you give it. People need it, and they can only get it from you.

Second: I asked you today what you're doing with your life. I'm glad to know that you have a job, and with relatively normal hours (I know what it's like to work the movie theatre hours --blech). And now I ask you again: what are you doing? You have a charm, you know, and a wit. I know that you think it separates you from most people, and you're probably right -- at least with those you know only on a superficial level. But I need to let you in on a secret: As it stands, it won't last very long. You live in Adult Land now, at least technically (since last December). Can an adult have that same quality, that same... je ne sais quoi? You bet. But it's different. I know that it's something about yourself that you hold dear, this quality, but if you want to keep it, it needs to change. You need to evolve. What will you do to evolve? What can you do to progress? Where will you go from here? Jus' askin'.

Third: People love you and need you.

Word.

Fondly,
~j5t.

ps - you are cordially invited to church next Sunday.

7 comments:

Kalli Ko said...

having a lot of experience with miserable teenagers, especially those of the male persuasion, I appreciate this. Every time I walk past one, I think in my head "somewhere you have a mother and/or father who loves you, go home tell them you love them back".

they need to hear it, on both ends

La Yen said...

I agree with it all. And I am glad you put it out to him. You are a good friend.

LuckyRedHen said...

There's a lump in my throat. Thanks for posting this. I don't even know the person you're talking about and I needed him for this. To boy, "See? See how much you're needed." And I meant that period instead of a question mark.

b. said...

this made me cry a little.

sue-donym said...

I hope he reads this.

Anonymous said...

Me too. Thanks ~j for posting this. I have said as much to other young friends I've loved and it's exactly what I wish I could say to more if they would only hear it. I need kids like your friend in my life and in my own kids' lives and I want them to always know we love them and want them in our lives and in our meetings and even at our dinner table.

Geo said...

Whole lotta love in that.