Family

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...

Dear grandparents of my one month old child, Things were awesome at first. I couldn't have asked for a better support system than you. You guys may have been a little rough around the edges then but you only had good intentions. I appreciate everything you did for me and my daughter in that time. I'll say it again. Thank you so much. But then shit hit the fan, now I'm a bad mom. I'm a bad mom because I co-bathe, I'm a bad mom because I moved out after you told me I was an unfit parent, I'm a bad mom because I won't take your advice that goes against doctor's orders, I'm starving my baby because I let her sleep until she cries for a feeding twice at night, and finally I'm an unfit parent because I have depression AND postpartum. Now, you're withholding the only newborn pictures I have...