I miss writing.
I was doing so much for awhile...poetry, fiction, blogging...
Then I just stepped away. It's just my way, I suppose.

Anyway, I've missed my little blog here and the record it is of my family life. I've decided to take the time to write a lot more and by doing it here that somehow keeps me accountable for it.

I was inspired to write today because of someone writing to me. I married into a wonderful family. My in-laws have been so loving, gracious and accepting of me. I've never not felt like a Stringham. When we were engaged, I got to know a few of Cameron's cousins who were attending school in Utah and Cameron's mom would provide a delicious Sunday dinner for everyone.
Becca, seen here with Cam and me, is one of those wonderful cousins and we've been able to stay in contact over the years.

Today I got a letter (and actual letter with a stamp!) from her. It was a card with a picture of her cute kiddos. Why? Just to let me know she was thinking about me.

A hand-written note may not be big as trends go, but the feeling of getting one will certainly never go out of style. I let things hold me back on doing this myself. Stupid things like "I haven't hand-made any cards yet." 

Dumb. Sticky notes would probably work just as well.

If I took the time to write a note to someone every time I was truly thinking about them I am sure the world would be a happier place and I'd feel less disconnected to the world at large.

So thank you, Becca, (I know you're out there) you really made my day!

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness."
He was sooooo right.
I should have had many more minutes of happiness today.


Emerson quotes could solve all the world's problems.

Dane came home yesterday determined (and needing to) finish an assignment begun at school.
He is in the middle of their class's third round of writing ficticious stories. He has really enjoyed this year of creative writing. It seems that about the same time I began carrying a notebook around nearly full-time as a writing tool, he did, too.
I am so thrilled for the marvelous ways his teacher had been developing a whole class of writers in embryo. I feel like I've been growing into writing at the same time he has been, but the difference is this: he has had two stories 'published' (the kids made books of their works and illustrated them) and I have only 'published' my own poetry on http://www.goodreads.com/ Ha!