My Real Friend

When my grandmother died, she left me a handwritten note. It was so very dear to me that I hid it... from myself.

While I continue to search for my Grandmother's letter, I want to leave behind written mementos for those who have influenced ME in some way. To create a tradition to honor my Grandmother.

Welcome to "Sincere Monday":


Dear Kemari,

Remember when we were just online “friends,” writing trash on other people’s blogs on MySpace (circa 2005)? When I learned of your plans to move to Phoenix, too, I asked you, “Will you be my real friend?” I was dead serious. I am such a dork… you know this.

I made it to Arizona before you did, but once you got there, you introduced me to Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts Ice Coffee, and Bookman’s. We mixed food, drinks, and conversation. We battled heat, kids, and annoying teachers. We cursed at traffic, stupid people, and vacationed at IKEA.

It was amazingly fun, and I was so lucky to have a friend in a city full of aliens – not all illegal, but otherworldly to me. I was so used to being surrounded by family in Oklahoma, that I was scared, anxious, and too nervous to venture out on my own. You were fearless, a quality I greatly admire, and together, I am sure we could have divided and conquered that great city… if it weren’t too hot that day, and we didn’t have something else better to do ;-).

You encouraged me to write more, and I did. For NaNoWriMo (2008), I switched projects half way through the month after you suggested I work on the piece I was “saving for later”. I can’t thank you enough for that… I probably never would have started it, and while I am not finished with that novel, I am so proud of it and how far I have come.

It’s been almost a year since I moved, and I am really missing you. Especially this time of the year, when the kids are out of school, and I know we could be hanging out. I miss being able to run my ridiculous ideas by you and you telling what you thought, often encouraging the madness.

I miss the laughs, the smack talk, Jessie’s smile, and Jordan’s jokes… any WIFI havin’ pizza/fast food joint where we could sit with our laptops out – not necessarily writing… just hanging out like friends do.

THANKFULLY…

There is the Interwebz, IM, and cell phones. Message me when you’re on; I have some ideas to run by you. <3

Sincerely,
~2


Kemari Howel is a freelance editor, amazingly beautiful writer, and a fierce friend. I honestly don't know what I would do without her. If you're in need of editing services feel free to contact her at LiterarySeamstress@gmail.com - tell her 2mara sent you ;-)

*Note: this post as not been edited AT ALL

I Cheated

When my grandmother died, she left me a handwritten note. It was so very dear to me that I hid it... from myself.

While I continue to search for my Grandmother's letter, I want to leave behind written mementos for those who have influenced ME in some way. To create a tradition to honor my Grandmother.

Welcome to "Sincere Monday":


Dear Mrs. Dauman (2nd Grade),

I am sorry I cheated in your class room. It was very hard to resist looking up the answers that were so cleverly hidden in the back of my reader. It saved time, and quite honestly, the stories were incredibly boring (and pointless).

Who had the bright idea to put the answers in the back of the books anyway, and how stupid do you think a second grader is? Maybe it's just me, but if the answers are clearly written in the book I am reading, I don't believe I should be held accountable for writing them down.

I guess I am not really sorry that I cheated; I am more upset that I was caught and accosted by you in the girl's bathroom.

Second grade sucked!
Sincerely,
~2