Fill in the Blank

Dear _______,
(Feel free to fill in your name.)

It's nearly midnight and I can't sleep- a common problem nowadays. Several articles have told me my late-night, late-morning tendencies have something to do with a high IQ. I can't seem to make more than a high C in math, though, so I don't know what it is. I'm 17, a senior in high school (or I will be in 2 months), and I know what I want to do with my life. It's simple, but unlikely.

I know I want to major in communications studies - journalism - and French. Move to Morrocco. work for National Geographic. Get married at 30 at the youngest, have 2-3 kids, move to a nice town like where I am, & live happily ever after.

But happily ever after is a luxury now (buy 1 marriage get a second for the low price of 1 broken family & a custody arrangement - hidden fees include mentally impacted children and increased stress). I mean, my parents are still together, but sometimes I wonder for how long.

According to my sister, my mom has looked at divorce lawyers frequently. It seems sort of late in the game to give up now, though. 27 years down the drain. 4 kids. 3 dogs. 2 cats. Countless fish. A few rats. 1 house. All thrown out? They've statistically only got to stand each other for another 20 years or so.

Stay together for the (grand)kids. But I don't think my parents hate each other, my mom just gets tired of my dad's pessimism. And they still 'make love' or fuck or whatever, so that has to be good for something.

I'm sorry ______, I don't mean to dump on you, but my best friend has enough parental problems to listen to mine. [sic] Let me tell you a secret, _______: for all my independence, I just want to fall in love. So in love that when I look at him, I just know we're meant to be. So in love that when we open our hotel window on our honeymoon, the world WILL know what love is! (courtesy of Anis Mojgani, "Direct Orders) I may have dreams of being a person who make a difference, but I think if I just loved someone that deeply, all my missed opportunities wouldn't matter.

Love, ________, is a great force. The greatest. It moves oceans, saves lives, takes lives, changes people for better or worse.

And I just want to experience it once. 'Tis better to have loved and lost.

LOVE! (highlighted in dark pink) a stranger.

A Note On Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the fantastic fathers out there, and a pleasant Sunday to everyone else. :)

Unfortunately, I'm going to have to post another transcribed letter this week. I have been trying to find drivers for my ancient scanner, but I have had no luck whatsoever. I'm going to see if I can borrow a scanner  tomorrow, and give you guys a bonus update.