Day 25: Shebby

Dear Shelby,

Thank you. 

Sheb, sweet Shebby, I love you. You are incredible. Thank you for calling me and catching me up on all the great and crazy things going on in your life. I miss laying on the couches in your apartment watching Firefly or Supernatural and talking about God and boys and life and the future. You are one of those rare beautiful people who I can be 100% honest with about anything and everything and I don't have to worry about you thinking I'm crazy or shallow (we both know in crazy anyway). 

I love that even if we don't get to talk all the time, the minute we start talking, it's like we are just keeping a long conversation alive. Like no time has passed. Thank you for your prayers, kindness, laughter, and love.

Thank you also for being such a fantastic inspiration. I'm so proud of you for working so hard to take better care of yourself. You've always been gorgeous, Sheb, but you seem so much happier now that you're healthier. You look fantastic, and you inspire me to keep trying to be healthier. Thank you for encouraging me in this. :)

I love you, little sister. You're still my best fan. 

Thank you. 

Love,

Jaymin

Day 24: Readers

Dear Readers,

Thank you. 

Even if we never meet or leave a comment, I appreciate you. I also appreciate that none of you have harassed me for somehow writing 2 separate gratitude posts about Benadryl. As you may have guessed, it's been a special kind of month. Octobers often are. 

Thank you for sticking out with me. Special thanks to any of you who may have followed me on previous blogs (OpenDiary, Xanga, Live Journal, MySpace) or on Tumblr (http://crashesthewho.tumblr.com). It's just always incredible to realize you've written something that someone else is kind enough to actually take time to read. You are wonderful. 

Thank you. 

Love,

Jaymin

Day 23: Blackberry Lemonade

Dear Blackberry Lemonade,

Thank you. 

Applebee's was so smart to create you. You are the reason I went out of my way to go to dinner at Applebee's to tonight, and I feel completely justified in doing that. You just taste so good. 

Thank you. 

Love,

Jaymin

Day 22: Benadryl

Dear Benadryl,

Thank you. 

We've been through so much together over the years. Through bug bites, allergic reactions, and misery. You've never let me down. Thank you for helping me get through this week's fun allergic reaction to the flu vaccine. You kept me from tearing up skin that was itching like crazy and helped me finally get some much needed sleep. I truly am grateful. 

Thank you. 

Love,

Jaymin

Day 21: Ian Fleming

Dear Mr. Fleming 

Thank you. 

Over the years I've watched nearly every movie based off your brilliant character James Bond. He's a delight. A wonderful mix of humor, machismo, and quick-thinking. Your character has been a bridge for me over the years. He'd given me common ground to start friendships. Today I watched Thunderball with my dad and we loved it. I'd forgotten about the sharks and the underwater fight scene. Thank you for creating a character my father and I both love. 

Thank you. 

Love,

Jaymin

Day 20: Kyle

Dear Kyle,

Thank you. 

It's weird sometimes how something heartbreaking and terrible can cause something. My friend, I hate the pain you're dealing with and the ridiculous number of complications you're dealing with, but I am grateful for one thing: our renewed friendship. I hadn't realized how completely I had missed your laughter, concern, advice, and kindness. Thank you for your friendship. 

I am grateful for our shared history, values, sense of humor, and friends. All these things truly make you magical and rare. 

Thank you for being honest. It's been a distressingly long time since I've spent real time with a guy who understand the importance of using his words. You have any idea how awesome it is to have you actually explain what you mean and not just get upset with me if I question you? I have trust issues and have spent too much time being lied to or rejected or having guys decide to tell me I'm just wrong or get angry at me without ever just manning up and talking to me.  Having you step up and be a real man is such a blessing. Plus it minimizes confusion. Party. Bonus. 

Speaking of parties...a happy, happy birthday, The Kyle. I can't believe we're adults let alone responsible ones. :) You are a good man and a great dad. May God bless you in the coming year in new, beautiful, surprising ways and also give you the strength you need to get through the pain and difficult times. Many wonderful years to come, my friend. Many wonderful years. 

I love you, my friend. I'm so proud of you, I am so grateful that you are you, and that I get to be a part of your story. 

Thank you. 

Love,

Jaymin

Day 19: Grandma Thomas

Dear Grandma Thomas,

Thank you. 

I miss you. A lot. 

Grandma, thank you for loving me. More than that, thank you for loving all of us. It's amazed me over and over again since you died just how much you loved all of us and how you truly were the glue that held us all together. You always saw the good in us and tried to point us in the right direction. It makes me sad to think how much we took that for granted. 

Thank you for being a great example of the kind of woman I want to be. You were a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. You were involved in your family and community, and everyone who knew you loved you. Your life and legacy give me hope. 

I miss you, Grandma. I love you. 

Thank you. 

Love,

Jaymin