To The World-I Say Good-Bye
(Please be sure to read all the way through before you react. This is just an exercise. Thanks.)
Lynn: You've been my best girl friend since the seventh grade. You've been the big sister that I never had. You're always there when I need a pick-me-up, you're the first one I call when I have exciting news, and even after all these years, I never stopped caring about you. Even though we don't hang out as much as we used to when we were younger, I still feel like the special bond of friendship we have can never be severed. I love you.
Lynnea: It's been so wonderful knowing you. You have a fun sense of humor, and you never fail to make me laugh. I know I don't tell you this that often, but I do know that you sacrifice a lot for me: gas money, time, patience. You're a terrific hang-out buddy, whether we're going to Bible Study, or out preaching to the ducks about God's love (hehe). Without you in my life, I don't know where I would be. Thank you for always being there for me. I love you.
David: One of the many things that I will miss about you is your love for tormenting me about clowns. Though sometimes our discussions have kept me up at night (haha), I know that in your own special way you're really telling me that you love me. You're such a great friend. In many ways, I like to think of you as my big brother. If there is ever a crisis in my life, I know that you would be the one to call. Thank you for being who you are. Don't let anyone change that. I love you.
Heather: I have enjoyed our talks online very much. Your sense of humor can pull me out of any slump that I'm in, and I want to thank you for that. Your kindness and generousity shines through to me, even if I haven't met you face-to-face yet. You are obviously a very intelligent, talented person, and I know that whatever you do with your life, you will do it well. Please take good care of yourself.
Emilee: You are the sweetest, most caring girl I have ever met. I know that you're going through a lot, but your faith that you will pull out of it is so inspiring to me. It's incredible. You see people for who they are, and that's a true gift. You're a wonderful girl. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you aren't.
Will: I've only met you a few weeks ago, but your ability to say exactly what is on your mind is very inspiring to me. I've always wished that I could do that someday. You are a very strong person (both physically and mentally), and there is nothing that can stand in your way.
To my parents and brother: I love you all very much. I am forever grateful to you for being there for me through all my surgeries, and for sacrificing so much time and money so that I may have the simple gift of hearing. There are no words to express just how much that means to me. Thank you so much. Mom, you've been there through so much: my birth, surgeries, puberty, boys, church, etc. I know I can always count on you to be there for me. Dad, you and I don't talk as much as I would like to, but that doesn't mean that I don't love you. I know what you have sacrificed to get me to where I am today, and I am grateful. Josh, I know you hate "mushy stuff," but I want you to know that I love you, anyway. I know that God has a great plan for you in your life. Nothing is impossible. I love you.
And last but not least...
Mimi: (my grandmother) I love you with all my heart. If anyone deserves credit for helping my parents raise me, it would be you and Grampa. I am sorry that I can't be in New York with you, or that we can't spend as much time together as I did when I was little. But I love you very much. That will never change, no matter how many miles there are between us.
So that's it. I love you all.
JAZZY
(David gets credit for this idea. His letter was so sincere and so sweet that I had to give this exercise a try. David, I really enjoyed it! It definitely made me appreciate all the people who are in my life. I LOVE YOU GUYS!)
Lynn: You've been my best girl friend since the seventh grade. You've been the big sister that I never had. You're always there when I need a pick-me-up, you're the first one I call when I have exciting news, and even after all these years, I never stopped caring about you. Even though we don't hang out as much as we used to when we were younger, I still feel like the special bond of friendship we have can never be severed. I love you.
Lynnea: It's been so wonderful knowing you. You have a fun sense of humor, and you never fail to make me laugh. I know I don't tell you this that often, but I do know that you sacrifice a lot for me: gas money, time, patience. You're a terrific hang-out buddy, whether we're going to Bible Study, or out preaching to the ducks about God's love (hehe). Without you in my life, I don't know where I would be. Thank you for always being there for me. I love you.
David: One of the many things that I will miss about you is your love for tormenting me about clowns. Though sometimes our discussions have kept me up at night (haha), I know that in your own special way you're really telling me that you love me. You're such a great friend. In many ways, I like to think of you as my big brother. If there is ever a crisis in my life, I know that you would be the one to call. Thank you for being who you are. Don't let anyone change that. I love you.
Heather: I have enjoyed our talks online very much. Your sense of humor can pull me out of any slump that I'm in, and I want to thank you for that. Your kindness and generousity shines through to me, even if I haven't met you face-to-face yet. You are obviously a very intelligent, talented person, and I know that whatever you do with your life, you will do it well. Please take good care of yourself.
Emilee: You are the sweetest, most caring girl I have ever met. I know that you're going through a lot, but your faith that you will pull out of it is so inspiring to me. It's incredible. You see people for who they are, and that's a true gift. You're a wonderful girl. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you aren't.
Will: I've only met you a few weeks ago, but your ability to say exactly what is on your mind is very inspiring to me. I've always wished that I could do that someday. You are a very strong person (both physically and mentally), and there is nothing that can stand in your way.
To my parents and brother: I love you all very much. I am forever grateful to you for being there for me through all my surgeries, and for sacrificing so much time and money so that I may have the simple gift of hearing. There are no words to express just how much that means to me. Thank you so much. Mom, you've been there through so much: my birth, surgeries, puberty, boys, church, etc. I know I can always count on you to be there for me. Dad, you and I don't talk as much as I would like to, but that doesn't mean that I don't love you. I know what you have sacrificed to get me to where I am today, and I am grateful. Josh, I know you hate "mushy stuff," but I want you to know that I love you, anyway. I know that God has a great plan for you in your life. Nothing is impossible. I love you.
And last but not least...
Mimi: (my grandmother) I love you with all my heart. If anyone deserves credit for helping my parents raise me, it would be you and Grampa. I am sorry that I can't be in New York with you, or that we can't spend as much time together as I did when I was little. But I love you very much. That will never change, no matter how many miles there are between us.
So that's it. I love you all.
JAZZY
(David gets credit for this idea. His letter was so sincere and so sweet that I had to give this exercise a try. David, I really enjoyed it! It definitely made me appreciate all the people who are in my life. I LOVE YOU GUYS!)