Dear Reflection,
I don’t always appreciate you, but I’ve been told you’re prettier than I think. You help me make sure my hair’s neat. You help me check for ticks and odd bumps. You let me know if I’m looking tired, sick, or sunburnt. And every once in awhile, you surprise me with a beautiful face staring back at mine.
Dear Money,
You and I seem to have a love-hate relationship. I wish I had more of you at times; other times I wish the world didn’t revolve around you, and that I could escape your grasp. Why must you be so elusive yet so necessary? Why most so many of us struggle to earn you while watching you slip carelessly through our fingers? Why can’t you be more like a dear friend? I wish that one day I didn’t worry about you as much as I do now. I want our relationship to be a more relaxed one — one in which I’m not pining after you or wanting for the basic necessities of life.
Dear Kindness
It is by your grace that I’m able to treat others the way I want to be treated and that I have received great blessings from others.
Dear Family,
You are the light of my life. You give my existence much more meaning. True, sometimes you drive me crazy, but I love all of you so very much. I couldn’t imagine my life without you. I know you’ll change over the years — members passing away, new members marrying into it or being born, growing up and older — but I know for certain that my love will always overflow.
Dear Legs,
Just like Feet, you carry me everywhere. You hold me up and give me strength. You help me dance, work, and play. You are wonderful appendages.
Dear Shadows,
You remind me that the sunshine’s touching this earth. You may look dark, but you wouldn’t exist without the light — and what a wonderful message you share. Light and dark must coexist together. Without bad, there would be no good. You’re so delightfully wabi-sabi.
Dear Courage,
You are the reason I get up every morning. You are the reason I leave my house. You are the reason I face each day, one moment at a time. You are my driving force. Were it not for you, I would hide in bed all day, everyday. I would become a recluse. I would succumb to my physical and mental ailments. Thanks to you, I can face everyday with a smile on my face and hope in my heart.
Dear Senses,
I appreciate you, Sight. You allow me to see the beauty in everything around me — the rainbow colored sky at sunrise and sunset, the plumage of birds, the patterned fur of animals, the color of people’s eyes, and so much more. I appreciate you, Sound. You allow me to hear beautiful music, the sound of my children’s laughter, the sounds that alert me to danger, and everything in between. I appreciate you, Smell. Without you, I couldn’t breathe in the aroma of freshly baked goods, food cooking on the stove, flowers, and all sorts of wonderful scents. I appreciate you, Taste. You are quite possibly my favorite sense. I enjoy so many sweet foods because of you. I also love salty and sour foods. I enjoy fruits and veggies, meats and cheeses, grains and fats. And I also appreciate you, Touch. The warmth of the sun feels glorious on my skin. The soft fleece pants I wear in winter keep my body warm and comfortable. The feeling of water on my skin soothes my aches and pains. And yes, even pain is helpful — it alerts me to anything wrong with my body.
Dear Future Me,
I’m trying my very best to build a life worth loving for you. I want you to be happy and comfortable. I want you to be able to provide for yourself and your family. I want you to smile freely and often. I want you to have the freedom to rest when you need it, eat nourishing foods, move your body, and work how you please. I want you to have the very best.
Dear Hunger,
We’re quite a pair, aren’t we? You are the reason I’ve never had an eating disorder — or maybe that I border on binge eating disorder at times. You let me know when my body needs nutrients. You inspire me to get into the kitchen and create something delicious every time. You give me an appreciation of food in all its glorious forms.
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