Dear Son,
Today is your seventh birthday. I write this letter to both you and your sister, as to me, you are both mirror images of each other. Day and night, sun and moon, fire and water.
I am so very blessed to have you in my life. You are the greatest gifts that have been bestowed upon me. I feel deeply grateful that the both of you chose me to be your mother.
I can't believe that you are already seven years old. I wish I could say I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. But truth be told, it was all a blur. Since then, my hands and my days have been full of activity.
You and your sister bring a life force to our home that is infused with energy and intensity. You are light itself. Sometimes the gentle burn of a candle flame, and sometimes the sharp bolt of...
Lifestyle
Dear Kids of the Future,
As I am approaching my 18th birthday – the day I will officially be able to vote, buy lottery tickets, and order from those stupid infomercials without my parents' permission – I have been reflecting on my childhood.
I remember Barney and Dora the Explorer, falling off of swing sets, and dragging my parents to weekend soccer games.
More importantly, however, I have been thinking about your lives.
Your lives are much different than mine was at your age. Screen time is much higher. I admit I spent a good chunk of my childhood watching television, but it was different. Before Netflix, I would plan my day around when my favorite shows would be airing. If I missed a show, that would be that. Now boredom is a thing of the past. Why read books when you can...
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Dear Apple,
I am an avid Apple product user. So firstly, I thank you for bringing the iPhone into my life to keep my calendar organized. I'm grateful that the iPad exists for long car rides. I love my Macbook Air. And I truly thank you for putting me in control of what I watch with my child by creating the Apple TV's on demand experience and partnering with educational providers like PBS Kids. You've done so much right.
But, there is one place I regret to inform you that you missed the mark. And I think I speak for parents everywhere when I ask this question:
How did you think that the Apple TV control being a sleek thin silver bit of nothingness was a good idea?
For single people in their 20's, sure, it's a beautiful design, but for anyone with a kid, I can assure you, it has...
2,466
Dear Open Letter Writer,
It seems like every time I turn around, I'm reading another open letter to the new love interest of your ex-husband.
These letters usually open with how much you hated his new girlfriend at first. She was a lot younger than you, and her name was Skyler or Sasha or something hot like that. She even drove a cool car, like a Saab or a Volkswagen Golf. The worst part about it, though, was how she was snake-charming your kids with all of her whimsical style and mad arts and crafts skills.
Who knew yoga instructors had so much downtime? It was enough to get your chakras way out of alignment.
But, then your letter goes on to explain how the new girlfriend was impossible to dislike. Just like some 1990s rom-com staring Julia Roberts, her unassuming nature,...
2,458
Dear Marissa,
Whoa, girl! You really know how to drop a bomb. Everyone is still talking about that HR memo. I'm sure you're like, "Hey can we move on and start making some money now, people?!"
I'm totally with you, Ms. Mayer. Totally! I mean, we really need to tighten things up around here, get those lazy butts in seats. I'm a little bummed that my view of the parking lot will now be blocked by the guy across the hall -- the one with the sweet window office -- who hasn't been in for the last six months. But if innovation comes without access to direct sunlight, then I won't complain. I am ALL in!
Let me also just say that I think those who've dubbed you "the Stalin of Silicon Valley" are completely out of line. I mean, that's an insult to Stalin. He was way, way worse than you...
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Dear Bill,
Years ago you invited me to appear as a fellow skeptic several times on your ABC show Politically Incorrect, and I have ever since shared your skepticism on so many matters important to both of us: creationism and intelligent design, religious supernaturalism and New Age paranormal piffle, 9/11 "truthers", Obama "birthers", and all manner of conspiratorial codswallop. On these matters, and many others, you rightly deserved the Richard Dawkins Award from Richard's foundation, which promotes reason and science.
However, I believe that when it comes to alternative medicine in general and vaccinations in particular you have fallen prey to the same cognitive biases and conspiratorial thinking that you have so astutely identified in others. In fact, the very principle of how...
2,493
Dear Several Sharpied Hands,
Impacts. Sometimes they are subtle, while other times they are fast and hit you like a ton of bricks. No matter what age you are, people will walk into your life and impact you in ways you never thought possible. Sometimes in this crazy world, we forget how important we are; we tend to lack insight about our importance to the world. I think this lack may stem from the social media rage, but I also think it is brought on by those who don't see their unique importance to their life. Most who don't see it are often the ones impacting other people in extraordinary ways.
Impacts: What are they? Who creates them? Do they hurt? Are they good or bad? What makes them such an essential part of life? I believe the impact of people is often sent by God to unlock a...
2,287
Dear Girls,
I know that instant feeling of dread and doom when you realize another girl is spreading gossip and hateful words for everyone to hear. It's hard to describe accurately, but what comes to mind immediately is what it might feel like if you were drowning. Gasping for air, panic setting in and what you thought was a normal average day has ended up crashing down all around you. My bully decided to spread a huge lie about me and posted it on a bulletin via Myspace for my entire school to see. I lived in a small town at the time and all I could think of was "Why? Why me? What did I do?" If I could have had any wish, it would have been to move to another town far, far away and leave it all behind. I was running away and hiding from something someone said that had no value or truth...
2,138
Dear Mr. Ailes:
I write to convey my alarm over a recent segment smearing immigrant children that aired on Fox News' Special Report. In the piece, Chris Wallace reported false facts linking immigrants to welfare. Even more egregious, however, was the graphic that appeared on screen during Wallace's remarks, which referred to immigrant children as "Children of the Corn." This phrase likens immigrant children to the murderous cult of fictional children depicted in Stephen King's horror story and its universally familiar film adaptations. It covertly insinuates that Latino and immigrant children are to be feared.
Mr. Ailes, this is unacceptable. It is one thing for Fox News to routinely spread hate towards Latino and immigrant adults. It is quite another to demonize innocent children...
2,425
Dear young women of Wall Street,
I was once in your shoes as a newly minted investment banking analyst — fresh from college, brave, ambitious, and hopeful. I am one of you, so take what I write to heart.
You are joining one of the most rigorous, infuriatingly complex, and rewarding careers that you can have. And I know you've probably heard the horror stories and are wondering if you're prepared, if you really know what you've signed up for. There may even be naysayers in your circle of loved ones who worry for your health and well-being. Wall Street is a grueling place that can break you if you let it. I, too, have been troubled by the recent reports of young analysts suffering emotional traumas under the pressures of the job (and tragically even committing suicide in one recent...
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