Dear Library and MES Office

I can't remember if I ever officially thanked you for the fabulous baby shower you threw for Jason and I last summer. It's always incredibly exciting to welcome the first baby into a family, and we were thrilled you were happy to welcome our Little Miss with us.

I've been to a few baby showers and several bridal showers and I must say that never have I seen such an amazing spread of delicious food as what was available at our baby shower.

You were all so kind, and the "guess the name" game was so much fun! Thanks for everything; we felt really loved and enjoyed sharing our excitement with you.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, and I don't think we could have chosen a better village to help us parent our daughter. Thanks for your support and encouragement and advice.

Grateful,
Becky

Dear Jenn

My thank you to you is similar to my thank you to Rachel C. You both were so helpful when I was pregnant and had no idea what to expect. You were willing to share your birth story, your pregnancy woes and joys, your breastfeeding issues, your sleep deprivation, and anything else I inquired about. You weren't shy at all, and your explicitly detailed narratives were more than helpful - if there is a word that means that, insert it there!

Even after Kayla was born you were willing to answer any questions about newborn care, doctors, breastfeeding, diaper rash, baby routines, and more. You've impressed me as one of a few "Super Moms" I know, and I really appreciate your insights.

Not only did you share your experiences in hopes that they would be beneficial, but you also offered encouragement when I needed it most. Though my husband was always (and will always be) there for me, there is something different about the understanding of a fellow first-time mom. It was incredibly heartening to know that there was someone out there who understood where I was coming from, what I was feeling, and had some ideas on how to make it better...or at least bearable.

Thank you SO much for all of your sage advice and free help. You've been a godsend...even from 2,000 miles away.

Thanks, Jenn.

A Grateful Mother,
Becky

Dear Next-Door Neighbours

It's pretty sad that I don't know your names. When I was a kid, we knew EVERYONE within a block of our house - a CUBIC block, if you will. We were friends with almost all of them, too - Mormons, Catholics, non-church-goers, middle-aged couples, young families, grandparents...all of them. I can probably still tell you the names of most of the people who lived in each house in that old neighbourhood. Today I think maybe two of the same families are there...and mine isn't one of them, sadly.

Today I only know the name of one of the kids in the other house because her parents won an ATV and were in the paper. Sad.

At any rate, the reason I'm writing to you is because you have been fabulous neighbours. We've lived here for two and a half years and I can't complain about anything you've done. Within the first week you'd introduced yourselves, welcomed us, and asked if there was anything you could do for us. Last summer you warned us that you were going to be having parties to celebrate 1) Your child's high school graduation and 2) Your twins' 16th birthday. You apologized in advance for being noisy a bit later than we may like. We appreciated the heads up, but never heard a thing. When your dogs bark you often call them inside. When you're outside at night, it is rare and you aren't noisy about it. You've never encroached on our property, invaded our privacy, damaged anything of ours, been rude or inconsiderate, or done anything to be considered even slightly bad neighbours.

That is amazing.

Thank you so much for being such fabulous neighbours; we hope we've been as good from our side of the fence.

Signed,
Becky

Dear Alex

You literally made high school twice as good by being there. You made me laugh so much and so hard that I often look back on those days and wish I could travel in time just so I could experience that amazing fun again.

You and I had a lot in common back then. We had some great conversations, and not all of them were in Musfinqil. :)

In fact, now that I'm looking back on it, that word seems such a natural part of my vocabulary and the language so ingrained in my mind that I can't ever remember not knowing and using it. (Does anyone still remember what "Musfinqil" stood for in the first place?) But it's kind of like you. I can hardly remember a time when you weren't a part of my life. And THAT is a good thing.

You've taught me a lot. Mostly because you talk a lot and you know about everything there is to know about anything, but I've had some amazingly deep philosophical conversations with you that I really do miss these days.

I'm super glad you're still around the area and that we're still friends. I'm pretty sure you're one of those people God put in my life for a lifetime, not just a mere season. And I've thanked Him for that MANY times.

Now I must thank you: Thank you for being such a good friend; thank you for teaching me things; thank you for always being willing to answer my questions, even when they were really hard ones; and thank you for including Jason and me in your game nights. One of these days we'll do those again.

I love you, my friend.

Beckdy

Dear Rachel C.

I know I said thank you a few times while I was pregnant, but I probably didn't say it enough. You really helped me out! I was all at once terrified and thrilled and had no idea what to expect. You used your calm assurance to share with me your experience and answered any questions I had. I can't tell you how much that meant to me!

You've also been a wonderful friend, watching Kayla so Jason and I could have a much-needed date night (or two or three!), inviting us over for dinner and Sabbath games, letting us watch your adorable little boy so we could have a taste for what having a son would be like, made sure our dog had food and water while we were gone for a weekend...the list goes on.

And I cannot forget to mention how much I appreciate your musical gift. You've helped me last-minute with a few special musics for church, and you let me sing with you every month, so my life is wonderful! :) God has truly blessed our church with you and your talents and willingness to share them. Thank you for letting me be a part of that. I am so blessed every time I make music with you and Charley, and I always think, "Wow. I must really be special for God to give me this unspeakable gift."

You inspire me. Your knowledge of the Bible, your faith, your disinterest in being anyone but yourself, your ability to be such a great mother - especially now that you're pregnant with number two! - your musicality...all of it makes me want to be a better person.

Thank you, my friend!

Becky

Dear Jodi

Yes, yes, I know it seems like I'm brown-nosing. But I really do need to say "thank you" to you for the many opportunities you've given me since taking over your current job. Don't worry, I'll make this quick.

Rosa was a gem to hire me nearly fresh out of college, with absolutely NO experience in public relations. I didn't even have a degree in communications or journalism. What I did have, though, was a passion for writing and a desire to learn all I could about doing it as a career. The amount of knowledge I have now has at least quadrupled since April 12, 2007 - my first day as a PR professional.

You have taken what Rosa started and built on it, and I'm loving every minute of it. I've had more opportunities to learn what PR is all about than I ever really dreamed of, and I look forward to many more. You've helped me discover a dream - I became an English major with the goal of becoming a publishing house editor. (Though, admittedly, I really had - and still have - no idea what that actually entails.) You gave me the chance to edit a publication and see it through from beginning to end. Thank you.

One thing I do love doing is writing magazine articles. You have certainly not put a stop to that; I really appreciate that you ask what I want to do, what I enjoy doing and what I feel I'm good at, and then help me explore more of those things, while still opening my eyes to new and different options as well.

I said I'd keep this short, so I will. But know that I feel that God has blessed me with such a wonderful office to work in and a fabulous professional to work for, and I am eternally grateful to you for the experiences you've allowed me to have. Thank you.

Becky

Dear KarrLayn

You make me laugh. You're goofy, you're funny, you're fun and you're sweet and that all adds up to one fantastic woman. There have been a few women in my life who have been there for me when my mom couldn't be (i.e. at high school, during college, etc.), and you are definitely one of them.

Thanks for listening to me, and thanks for understanding me when I talked about disappointments and frustrations. As I discovered things about life I didn't necessarily like, you nodded and smiled a sad smile and said you had been there, too. And you cried with me. That helped immensely.

It was so much fun playing in steel drums with you. The interactions between you and Brandon made me laugh so often. What an adventure! We've been to Florida, Tennessee, Orcas Island and Bermuda together, and I'd always hoped we'd make it to Europe. At least one of us got to go on tour there!

Thanks for being patient with me and kindly being honest with me all the time. Thanks, too, for introducing me to your daughter. Many happy exchanges have happened between she and I and I can see where she got her beauty, for sure! :) (Hint: It wasn't Brandon.) :)

You're the lucky one who gets a "Thank You" blog from me on Mother's Day, so Happy Mother's Day to one of the world's finest. Lots of Love and a Big Hug from me to you.

Thank you for being such a wonderful second mother.

Love,
Becky

Dear God

I have more to thank you for than all the other people in my life combined. (When I say things like that I wonder - can I correctly refer to you as a "person"?) Here are just a handful of things I want to say "Thank You" for:

• Sabbath
• The ocean
• Family
• My healthy, beautiful, entertaining, makes-me-cry daughter
• Some of the best people in the world to call my friends
• The opportunity to travel
• Dogs
• Food on my table every day
• Positive relationships
• Sunsets
  
• Promises I know You'll keep
• Doctors and Nurses
  
• A job - and one I love, at that
• The means to keep a warm and comfortable house for my daughter
• Birds
• Health
• Different cultures
• Passion
• Science
  
• Choices
• Love
• Laughter
• Music
• The sense of smell
• Intuition
• Fellowship
• You being there for me all the time...whether I bother to think about it or thank You for it or not
• Babies
• A sense of humour
• All the people You've put in my life for various reasons - whether it be for a short time or forever
• Encouragement
• The ability to make other people smile
• Sex
• Autumn
• The gift of being able to sing and play music
• Understanding
• Baby animals
• Photographers and videographers who can go into places I'll never see and take me there vicariously, wowing me with every new scene
  

There is so much more...Everything in my life is thanks to You. The one thing I have to mention outside of the list is something I can never thank You for enough in words. Your sacrifice for me so I could live with You forever is something that is unspeakably powerful and stunning. Something I could (and do) say "Thank You" for here, knowing that doesn't come close to being enough. So thank You for giving me the opportunity to live my life as a thank you.

Your Undeserving Child,
(Insert the Name You Have For Me Here)

Dear Brandon

You've taught me a lot about being a musician. You have high yet realistic expectations and I appreciate your expertise. You've given me opportunities I never would have had otherwise: Learning steel Drums, playing at Disneyland, visiting Bermuda, discovering the excitement of playing all different percussion instruments, and the joy of making fun of one of the world's most fun directors. (Ahem - that's you.)

I really miss being in band, and I miss going on tours with you and your family. One day soon I hope to be able to join the wind symphony again...maybe next year when Kayla is older. I look forward to learning more Holsinger pieces, playing some more Jack Stamp numbers and perhaps performing in a Soundtrack Concert. (I can do without the Sousa, though...really.)

My eyes have been opened to a whole new world of music since performing in a group under your direction, and I've had more fun being in your band than in any other group in my life. I've also been a part of your group for longer than any other; I was in bell choir, band and choir in high school for three years, and band in elementary school for 4, but I was a part of yours for eight. And I wouldn't trade them for the world.

Thanks for being patient with me, for befriending me, for letting me explore different percussion instruments, and for giving me the opportunity to expand my musical horizons. Thanks for taking me to new places - Tennessee, Florida, Orcas Island, Bermuda - and for giving me the chance to perform at Disneyland. (So awesome!)

Thanks, too, for being a good friend. It's still weird sometimes to call you Brandon and not Mr. Beck, but I'm adjusting. :) I'm glad I know you, and I look forward to performing in your wind symphony again soon.

The One Who Was Two When You Graduated from College,
Becky

Dear Jim & Louise

I have no idea where you are these days, but judging from your age when I was seven years old, I'm going to guess that you are most likely resting, waiting for our Lord to return to take us home. Regardless, I thought of you this morning and must write you a thank you note.

The first church I remember attending was Claremont. (Now that I think about it, I'm not sure why that city is named that...are there really mountains down there? And, seeing as how it's Southern California, is it really going to be a CLEAR mountain?) There were many people there who left an indelible impression on me - Pastor Ted, Dave and Liz, Chrissy, Michael, Bonnie...and others whose names escape me after so many years. But something was different about you two, and I really don't know what.

I remember your little brown car, and how you always parked at the corner of the wall in the shade of the Eucalyptus trees in the church parking lot. I actually have no memories of you inside the church; only in your car in the large parking lot. And all of my memories include watermelon.

Who brought that melon to potluck every time? Pastor and Margie? I don't know. But whoever did it, it was a known tradition that is probably still maintained to this day. Well, maybe.

Another thing I wonder is this: Why did you two never eat inside with everyone else? Why did you always bring your lunches in little brown paper sacks and sit in your little brown Toyota in the shade with the windows rolled down? Why didn't you at least sit on the grass? Maybe my parents know the reason, but I never did. And as a kid, I never questioned it, either. That's just the way it was.

And "the way it was" included Melanie and I bringing you watermelon every potluck. While you ate your sandwiches in the car all by yourselves, we finished our potluck plates and filled another plate with slices of juicy, dripping watermelon, and ran out to your car to bring it to you. Then we'd sit on the curb and talk to you while you ate.

We felt so special, like important messengers, bringing you that melon. You always smiled so sweet and asked us questions, acting as though our lives were the most important things in the world right then. I'll never forget that.

Thank you for making some little girls feel very loved, special and important.

See you soon,
Becky

Dear Marci

You'll probably NEVER see this, but I have to write it anyway. You are one of my absolute best friends, and there is so much I love you for.

You make me laugh SO MUCH. Not just because of your sense of humour, but sometimes because of the blunders you get yourself into by trying to be unique, nice, or over-the-top. The incredible thing is that you never let ANYTHING get you down, and I admire you for that. You always have a smile on your face.

Your creativity never ceases to amaze me. Who else would have insisted we put that Austin Healy on the stage in the gym?!? Who else would have chased a DHL truck down the freeway to the loading zone to find a place still open to mail the yearbook proof before the deadline? Who else would've made "dinner" out of corn flakes, maple syrup and peanut butter...or made up a chocolate cookie recipe with anything we could find in the cupboards, and then FRY them because the oven wasn't working? Who else would've eaten a "worm" in front of speech class? (Well, okay, maybe Nathan.)

Determination really should be your middle name. Or perhaps Travel Bug. Maybe "I Need Becky to Proofread Anything I Write." :-P

Regardless, the bottom line is that I'm so glad we're friends, and I will never stop wishing we lived closer and could see each other more than 2-3 times per year. Though really...I guess that's not too bad, considering how often I see Tara (if I'm lucky, once a year).

Thanks for putting up with my crankiness, my cynicism and my blunt, tactless approach to criticism. I don't know how you did it, but thank you anyway. I love being friends with you!

Love,
Becky-Bob

Dear Merrie Beth

It's funny how sometimes you make friends in the least likely places. I NEVER would have imagined becoming good friends with someone I met while learning the difference between Transition and Active Labour or talking about what it means for one's "water" to "break."

I also never thought I'd spend most Sundays hanging out with someone whose husband took a group picture while holding a pair of forceps. LOL!

But God works in - to be cliche - mysterious ways, and this situation was no exception. I feel incredibly blessed each time I think about our friendship and how God put you in my life at just the right time.

I needed someone who completely understood my pregnancy woes, my first-time-mom joy, and my sudden lack of sleep at the end of July. I needed someone who loved God as I do, and who would accept my beliefs without hesitation. I needed someone who would work as I was to be the best Christian mom and example possible. And God sent me you.

Perfect.

Regardless of whether or not our girls remain friends through childhood, the teenage years, and adulthood, I'm fairly certain you and I will. I'm expecting to call you up and rant about how angry Kayla is making me with her 15-year-old attitude...then call you back the next day in tears when she surprises me with a home-cooked meal for dinner. I'm expecting us to attend each other's daughters' weddings, and perhaps their graduations. I'm expecting you to email me about Chloe's endless string of admirers and we can laugh at together at their antics.

You are a great listener and I love talking about motherhood with you. You and I have a lot of the same ideals and morals and it's such a relief and joy to know someone like that. I feel like I can talk to you about anything, and I love that, because there are some things husbands just can't understand that other women do. :)

So thanks for being such a good friend.

Becky

Dear Jason

I don't even know where to start with this one. Perhaps I should just make a list. It would certainly be right up your alley, and would make this letter much shorter. I think I will.

Thank you for:

1. Making your marriage proposal romantic and perfect.
2. Cooking me dinner on a regular basis.
3. Doing the chores I hate doing.
4. Always being a gentleman.
5. Laughing at my jokes.
6. Understanding how much I enjoy surprises and doing your best to oblige me.
7. Not complaining whenever I buy a pair of shoes or a new shirt.
8. Going grocery shopping with me.
9. Taking me to Leavenworth - and keeping it a secret until we were nearly there.
10. Telling me the food is good whenever I cook.
11. Being a good compromiser.
12. Letting me talk you into spending two weeks in London.
13. Being such a wonderful father to our beautiful daughter.
14. Teaching me about baseball.
15. Putting up with my complete ineptitude when it comes to geography.
16. Introducing me to classical music.
17. Liking chocolate as much as I do.
18. Dealing with me so well when I was pregnant.
19. Not drooling over (or even really looking at) every half-dressed woman that comes across the TV screen or walks down the street. (And these days, that's a LOT.)
20. Not complaining when I get big wet spots on your shirt from crying.
21. Making me do things I don't want to do but should.
22. Playing board games and card games and computer games with me.
23. Being fun to travel with.
24. Supporting me. In everything.
25. Making me feel pretty.
26. Always kissing me goodnight, even when I've already fallen asleep by the time you come to bed.
27. Being a wonderful Christian man.
28. Sticking with me, even when I'm extremely difficult. (Which, as we all know, is rare, but still happens. HA!)
29. Having an incredible sense of humour.
30. Being "the best ever."

Thank you for all of these things and the hundreds of other things I didn't make a part of this random list. I love you.

Love,
Me

Dear Tara

Writing my thank you letter to your mom yesterday made me think of all the things I need to thank you for, too.

First of all, thank you for showing me where the "washroom" and drinking fountain were. I'm not sure how long it would've taken us to become friends if not for those five minutes. (Or maybe I should thank Miss Benwell for that...?)

Secondly, thanks for letting me borrow your coloured pencils. ...And for not getting mad at me for always asking.

Thank you for following me into the bathroom at school when another girl made me cry, and for talking me out of the stall, convincing me you were indeed still my friend and that we'd always be friends. You were right, and I'm so glad!

I remember hoping against hope that I'd get to sit with you when the teacher moved our desks around. I remember you being taken home at 2 a.m. because we were playing Crocodile and for some reason my parents didn't like us standing on the furniture and laughing hysterically at that time of the morning. I remember Saturday night ice cream. I remember being mad that you always had Pathfinders and couldn't come over much during the school year. I remember how much it annoyed me that you and Marci always wanted to let my sisters play with us. I remember filling entire notepads with notes back and forth during church. I remember exploring that scary bullet-hole-infested trailer that mysteriously had always been in that field next to the school...and getting in trouble for it. I remember you laughing at my book title about the four seasons. I remember your adventures with dog treats. I remember not understanding how you could be so nice to EVERYONE. I remember sleepovers..."How now, brown cow?" and "The countdown is down..." (Where did we ever get this stuff?!?)

Then we grew up. We graduated from high school together, went to college together, shared a dorm room together...and found out together that Nathan had been killed in a car accident. Then we cried together. We talked about boyfriends, jealousy, dates, relationships, love, and marriage. We studied together, watched movies together and ate in the cafeteria together.

Then you moved. You had boyfriends, got a tattoo, pierced your ears, got a coffee machine, bought a truck and finished your first degree. All without me. It was a sad time!

But every time we got together it was like nothing had ever changed. As though we were still having sleepovers, discussing brown cows, eating ice cream at midnight and whining about boys. You always have been my best friend, Tay-ruh...and you were right - you always will be. I couldn't ask for a better one. Thank you.

I love you, buddy!

Love,
Britches

Dear Connie

I always said you were my second mom, and it still holds true today. When my mom wasn't there (such as at school when I had to do a demonstration in class and forgot one of the ingredients), you stepped in and helped me out ("Here's a handful of quarters - go get as much 7-Up as you need out of the vending machine.").

You listen to my stories, laugh at my jokes (and don't act surprised when one is actually funny), and never say "no" when I want to come see you.

You always know just what to say...you, like my own parents, are wise well beyond your 29 years. :) You're a good listener, but you're also a wonderful advice-giver. I have never questioned how Tara could be best friends with her mother. You're a fantastic friend and an amazing person to know.

Thanks, too, for letting me be friends with your daughter. I guess you just knew that in spite of the fact that I could have been a VERY bad influence on her, that she was strong enough to instead be a wonderfully good influence on me. You raised her right, Connie, and she's taught me a lot over the years. (I guess I need to thank her for putting up with me for so long!)

You have an easy laugh that makes me smile, and a gentle voice that calms me down. I always feel important when I talk to you, and whatever issue I'm battling at that moment seems to be the only thing you care about right then. You somehow know exactly what to say and how to act to show me what I'm doing is stupid, without ever making me feel bad about myself. Thank you.

Plus, you make delicious oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. And I'm pretty sure the number of those I could down in one sitting would rival five pieces of cake.

I love you, Connie!

Love,
Daughter #2