Dear Coffee, we have always had a love/hate relationship. After a night shift at Hallmark Land and seven hours of sleep I only have three words for you: I love you (to the moon and back). Okay, so that's a few more than three words.
Dear Shoppers of America, if you are "just browsing" two days before Christmas you need to find more interesting hobbies.
Dear Oncle-Papa, our annual last-minute-Christmas-shopping-trips always leave me full of good food and love. Thank you for appreciating Indian food and sentimental gifts as much as I do.
Dear Antique store, the 1920's French postcards I bought from you are the best purchase I've made in a long time. Thank you for being unique and helping to preserve what others find sacred.
Dear Brothers, Christmas means family and even though we all can't celebrate the holiday together this year know that I love you and hope to see all of you at the same time in the same place very, very soon.
Dear Southern Dialect, you seem to have established yourself in brain. Keep the "y'alls" coming. I like it.
Dear Christmas Eve Candle Light Service, I'll see you tonight. Thank you for being one tradition that consistently tolls in the season's festivities with wonder and light.
Dear (annual) Christmas Breakfast, T-minus 24 hours and counting. GET.READY. (for that food baby).
Dear Warren Wilson College, now that my first semester of college is over I am both sad that the year is traveling by so quickly, but also elated at all you have taught me since August. Thank you for being a place where I can grow, work, love, play, serve, laugh, and learn. See you next year!
Dear 2013, boy has it been a year. You gave me two more months in Italy, a great school, best friends, and lessons in so many disciplines but mostly in: the power of prayer, the gifts found in love and gratitude, and the freedom found in letting go. Thank you for the highs. Thank you for the lows. Thank you for being the starting place of a very incredible journey.
Dear 2014, from 2013 I asked to be "kinder, and wiser, and laugh more, and love more, and relax more, and write more, and see more sunsets, and have more adventures, and take more pictures, and read more, and learn more, and do more for others". I have certainly done all those things and more. From you I ask for those things still, but also for better ears to hear and better eyes to see in hope of finding a little more clarity and a little more peace.
Dear Readers, I ask that you be grateful during this time of year and count what you have instead of what is not there for you to take. The world is beautiful and life can be sweet. In the coming year I hope that you see the Earth's beauty and taste life's sweetness. You deserve it.
Dear All, in the words of Wilson's campus chaplain: "you are beloved children of God and no one can take that away from you. Go in Peace."
Peace (from a hippie in training),
Michelle
xoxox