Day 18: October

Dear October,

Thank you. 

You are my favorite month. Christmas Eve may be my favorite day of the year, but you are definitely my favorite month. The leaves are changing. My tree right outside my window is slowly turning scarlet and the sunlight filtering through casts a perfect autumn glow. We have turned the furnace back on, so now I get to hear one of my favorite sounds: a deep grumble and the snap of fingers followed by a rush of heat. The nights are cold enough, I need the magic quilt Grandma Cheatwood made to stay warm. The nights are also calling for hot chocolate and tea. It's beautiful. You are my favorite. 

Thank you. 

Love,

Jaymin

Day 17: UpSwing Crew

Dear UpSwing Crew,

Thank you. 

I really appreciate what you're working on. I know Saturday was the "pilot" of the service, but I believe this will be a wonderful new ministry for the church. It was intimate, enjoyable, and a wonderful starting point. Thank you for all the work you're doing to make this service possible. I know it takes a lot of time and effort to plan a worship service (especially when you're trying something new). I hope it takes off. 

Thank you. 

Love,

Jaymin

Day 16: Swedes Staff

Dear Swedes Staff,

Thank you. 

Over the past few years I've had a lot of time to consider you. I've spent some time in your hospital, most of it as a patient, and I want you to know you're wonderful. 

A couple years back, I dealt with pancreatitis nearly killing me a couple times as a complication of my gall bladder needing to be removed. Every member of your support staff that I encountered from nurses to lab tech to valets to administrative staff, you were all wonderful. You made me laugh, explained the medical terms, answered my questions, and did all you could to make me feel comfortable and at ease. 

I bring this up because I was reminded of this yesterday when I found myself in a familiar waiting room. I was at Swedes all over again, but this time it was waiting with my mom and for her test results. Thankfully her results were clear, we got to come home with no problems, but you were still the same. Everyone was kind. Everyone was helpful, and everything was explained. You really are wonderful. 

Thank you. 

Love,

Jaymin

Day 15: Ms. Finfrock

Dear Ms. Finfrock,

Thank you.

I saw you today for the first time in a long, long time.  I just want you to know that it meant the world to me for you to not only recognized me, but that you treated me like an adult and not the 13-14 year old girl that you had in class over 10 years ago.  Even more than that, you didn't grill me with weird questions about my marital status or why I'm working at a nursing home and not somewhere else.  Thank you for treating me like a respectable adult human being.  It may sound weird for me to thank you for that, but I'm at a weird stage in my life and this isn't something I can take for granted.  You were one of my favorite teachers in junior high.  I mean, you're the reason I first told a story in public and the reason I know how to make an omelet.  I have many great memories of you, and I appreciate your kindness.  I also want to thank you for your kind words about my family.  I know you are a fan of my mom, and I'm glad.  I'm fond of her too.  I also think she was perfect for the job of library director, and I think she's doing a wonderful job.  I'm so proud of her, and I appreciate you taking the time to tell me you think she's great.  I hope you have a wonderful week.

Thank you.

Love,
Jaymin

Day 14: Kimmieboo

Dear Kim,

Thank you.

I love you so much, sweet sister.  You have seen me through so many hard times and laughed with me through the good times (and sometimes through the bad times, which is the only way to survive I think).  I just want to thank you for being my sister.  Few things in life are quite so beautiful as knowing someone claims you as family when they aren't required to, and you always do.  Thank you.

It's hard for me to believe that we're as old as we are.  I still remember climbing that sand hill behind East Oregon before VBS during the summers while we were growing up (even if we weren't really supposed to do that), and I feel lucky to have known you so long.  I still find myself thanking God for pushing at my heart to go to ABC because I would've missed out on so many wonderful opportunities, but more importantly, I would've missed out on relationships like ours.  We've known each other for ever, but I am so grateful that we were at ABC together.  I can't imagine what my life would be like without you, K-boo.  Your prayers, laughter, encouragement and love are a constant source of comfort and joy.  Thank you.

On top of all this, thank you for making a place for me in Ki's life.  It's such an honor getting to be an aunt to your little munchkin.  He's such a sweet kid, and I can't believe how quickly he keeps growing.  It's going to be fun watching him grow up and being a part of all that.

Thank you for always making time for me and being a part of my life.  It means the world.  I love you, Kimmie.  You are a blessing and a godsend.

Thank you.

Love,
Jaymin

Day 13: Alex Hirsch

Dear Alex Hirsch,

Thank you. 

Thank you for creating something as ridiculous and wonderful as "Gravity Falls." I finally started watching it this week, and I'm in love. It's like "Supernatural" for kids (but I don't want to cry all the time). Your characters are charming and funny. Dipper and Mabel are the kids I wish I'd grown up with. Grunkle Stan is insane but lovable. The monsters and crazy incidents are unique and never quite what I expect. More please!

Thank you. 

Love,

Jaymin

Day 12: Benadryl

Dear Benadryl,

Thank you. 

Thank you for reducing/reversing allergic reactions to wherever it was that made me ridiculously itchy and miserable tonight. It looks like you'll allow me some sleep after all. 

Thank you thank you thank you. 

Love,

Jaymin