To all Litterers out there:

I’m big on snail mail and write letters all the time. I have written about this before. One of my Grandmothers recently has been sending me many more letters than usual which is such a huge treat. I love coming home after a long day, checking the mail and having an envelope waiting for me with W.L.Y (translation; We Love You) and smiley faces all over it. 

These letters are nothing more than simple page long notes, usually telling me about how my grandparents went to “get a sandwich” (translation; lunch) with so and so and how; “Well honey, we just had the best time talking for a couple hours and laughing like idiots.”

Last night a bunch of friends and I cooked a huge Asian feast for dinner. (I even rolled sushi myself for the first time ever. How fun!) One of the girls and I stopped at Fresh Market on the way to get the fish for the sushi. As we waited at the deli counter in a packed grocery store for the guy to come wrap our order, my friend said laughing; “Hey- check this out!”…and then proceeded to run a few steps and do the jump and click your heels together (you know like maybe a little leprechaun would?) and there we stood cracking up after I followed suit and jumped for my own heel click. 

Of course I proclaimed during our laughter; ” HA! I love it- we are such idiots!”

Before dinner last night and after working a long and tiring weekend day, I took 10 minutes to sit doing absolutely nothing in my apartment. I was feeling all happy and lucky that I have a clean, safe apartment I live in that offers warm sun beaming in on late weekend afternoons. Just a simple but delicious ahhh quiet few moments of peace and relaxation in my day that I have come to appreciate so much.

As I got up to head out for the night grabbing my phone, I saw an email informing me that an acquaintance of mine through work had passed away unexpectedly. Way too young, no answers just an informative short email with details to come later. 

Just sad.

I often feel like I am a broken record here writing about how I/we can all/should all appreciate and enjoy every day we have on this earth, so forgive me. I don’t necessarily think any of us should walk around in fear or think 24/7 about how to hurry up and party it up because it could be all gone tomorrow. I guess I am just hoping to promote taking the “gift” if you will- from every single tragedy like the above death to have 100 more excuses within our average working days to just enjoy and act like “idiots.” 

I am so proud to be from a family of “idiots”, be friends with a bunch of “idiots” and that I act like a complete “idiot” pretty much on a daily basis. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Someday when I’m not around anymore, all I wish for are the people who love me to be able to stand around, laughing and sharing memories like; “Remember that time we acted like complete idiots at such and such?!” (They will certainly never have a lack of material:)

Here’s to laughing over a “sandwich”, heel clicking in packed grocery stores when you’re 30-something and the fact that anyone that’s FUN will so always beat out someone else who’s not, for a special spot in the Idiot Club.

Same for the parents of Morgan Harrington. Yet another young, vibrant woman who’s life was cut far too short.

Perhaps these specific cases hit extra close to home for me because I lost two of my teenage girl friends during early years too. We were all about to go forth and conquer it all because life had such possibility. I know what it’s like to be the young girl that’s still alive and sitting in a funeral home with parents who have lost theirs. Those images are ones I hope to never have to relive. I will never forget after my friends died, for the longest time before I left to go anywhere with friends, my mom used to hug me and tell whomever I was about to ride with; “Please be careful- you’re carrying my most precious baggage.”

Maybe my heart hurts because I’m female. I wonder why often women have to arm ourselves with mace and be overly aware or on the defensive on a daily basis, just so we’re ready to kick anyone’s ass if they come within 10 feet of us and look like trouble, or above it all- why there are such rotten, horrible people out there in the world sometimes who hurt others.

Whatever it is, the death of the Chelsea’s and Morgan’s of the world put me in check everyday to feel more than I am already, that time and life is far more precious than any of us are able to comprehend.

To the families and friends of Chelsea, Morgan and all others alike,

If it can be any bit of consolation or gift to you to know, your girls have inspired me and I’m sure so many other young women, to put in extra work and heart into what we do, so that the spirits of such amazing ladies like yours live on. We hope you somehow find peace in all the beautiful and fun memories you have.

Shhh. Don’t tell anyone.