Family

Growing up, we always had our issues. We fist fought constantly when we were younger, and I'll never forget constantly having nail marks indented into my skin. I'll never forget the time that I sprained my wrist from hammer punching you, especially when it's cold out and it aches from being sprained. There was so much sibling rivalry between the two of us that it would be impossible to ever solve in this lifetime. We competed with each other over almost anything. Sports, school, boyfriends, who had more friends, whose hair was longer, who was prettier, you name it, we compared it. In a larger than average family, we were dying for attention and I strongly believe that contributed to a lot of the rivalry. We didn't always not get along. There were times when we were on the same sports...

Lanz, You were just a little puppy when we adopted you. I remember how Papa and Mama would spend their money just to buy you a milk. Right after school, you're the first to be checked and be carried on even when I am still in my uniform. I would carry you and even sing you a song. I was in 5th grade, you were my first pet. You taught me a different kind of love from then on. Years passed and I didn't even notice how big you became. I cannot carry you any more. Instead, every time I went home you would run to me in the gate, wiggle your tail as if you were very happy to see me home. I'm sorry cause while growing up, I have taken you for granted. I thought you would always be there. I thought every time I would enter that gate, I would see your face and I would call out; "hey buddy!". High...

Dear Hobby Lobby CEO, I want to tell you a story about how your corporation has affected my family. When we got the word that a Hobby Lobby store was opening up in our little city of Palm Coast, we became excited. It was promising to see a Christian organization that shared our values opening as a local business in our community. We became even more thrilled when we learned about job opportunities being offered to our residents. You see, my husband’s job was about to end. He was working as a parent coordinator to parents of children who have been deemed “at risk”. The position he held was grant funded and those funds were ending. His dream has been to work in ministry. As a matter of fact, he also runs a nonprofit ministry/thrift store designed to help the community. Unfortunately,...

I will always blame myself for your actions. People will tell me it wasn’t my fault and maybe, just maybe, for a split second, I’ll listen, but I’ll never fully believe that. You see, there are so many things I could have done to prevent your actions. Thinks I could have said. Hugs I could have given. Actions I could have taken. All things that could have helped, but I didn’t do enough. I didn’t do enough to save you. I’ll never forget the first time you really worried me. It was that drunken phone call you made to me. You told me that you wanted to die. You said if it wasn’t for our mother, you would have already killed yourself. I tried to reassure you that she wasn’t the only one who loved you. I tried to tell you how many people it would hurt, but you didn’t listen. I should have...