Christopher,

You saved me. My life has always been filled with sadness and misery but ever since I met you it's been filled with love and happiness. I have never had the fatherly love that a child should have and that has messed with my expectations of how a boy should treat a girl. You do not know of the things I have been through and I do not want you to know because I do not want to scare you but the first time we locked eyes all of it suddenly did not matter anymore. Before I met you I gave up on love because I always got hurt and did not believe I was lovable but you came into my life and showed me that was not true. With you I do not have to worry about being hurt because you showed me that I am able to be loved and that loving does not mean hurting. I am never scared that when you touch me you will leave a bruise and I can look you in your eyes when you speak to me without tearing up or flinching. I can not express how much I love you and how much you mean to me. I hope you know I'd give up anything and everything to spend the rest of my life with you. I pray that you mean every word and promise you tell me. Thank you for showing me love and saving me from giving up on myself.

Love Always and Forever,

Reagan

I know, you already read it. I, on the other hand, was a typical teen of the 80's who was more interested in girls and sports than anything else. It was not until my twenties that my English teacher of a sister talked me into reading Stephen King, Stephen King soon turned to Dean Koontz, and Dean Koontz soon turned to anything I could get my hands on. By my thirties I was regularly reading a book a week. Yet, through it all, I never turned to the classics until my forties.

I have read hundreds of good books over the years, but The Scarlet Letter is the best. The reason for this is a personal one; the character of Arthur Dimmesdale deeply resonated with me and transformed the book from simply a good read to an intense personal journey of discovery.

Which leads me to the main point I would like to make. Only you can decide what the greatest book is because it must speak you alone in a special way. Books, like poetry and art, must speak to your own soul in order for it to be great. My favorite painting is Nighthawks by Edward Hopper because it speaks to my soul, yet you may not like it at all. My favorite poem is Annabel Lee by Edger Allan Poe, because it speaks to my soul, yet it may mean nothing to you.

That is what makes literature so wonderful; it has to be personal and meaningful to the reader and, if it is, it is great to you...and that is all that matters.

It was the best of times and the worst of times. Sitting in the Rio de Janeiro airport in Brazil at midnight with my newly-adopted, seven-month old daughter and five-year-old son. Just wanting to be home at Christmas time. All three of us in tears. This was an unexpected stop on our lengthy journey. With three carry-on bags and totally exhausted children, I couldn’t fathom how we could rise from those plastic chairs to get on our next flight.

That’s when you appeared. You were disguised as a very elderly man wearing what appeared to be a janitor’s uniform. In broken English and a nod of your head, you convinced me you were there to help. When you picked up our bags along with my son, you pointed toward where our plane was boarding. A sympathetic flight attendant allowed you to accompany us to our seats.

I never knew what role guardian angels played, but I'll never forget as you walked away, I could only shout one word -- gracias!

You...incredible beautiful human being gave me strength to survive, to love me when everyone did not, to be me even if my character is the weirdest or craziest in this world.

You are a part of my life and thank you for still teaching me things that matter.

You deserve to be happy and have someone in your life who loves you for who you are because you are an angel that was sent here in this universe to protect all the broken souls!

With much love,

Forever yours,

The crazy me!

A student once asked me, "Is there any happy literature?" It took me a moment to answer, and later I revised my schedule of readings. Seriousness is not required for literature but is often concealed in humor. I offer as proof Louise Erdrich's THE SENTENCE.

I have never read a funnier first chapter, and yet it contains death, drugs, and a prison sentence. The novel is not without conflict, but the narrator Tookie meets it head on. (Okay, she buries some of it.) Tookie is grounded in the physical world--weather, nature, food--yet well aware of the supernatural. She is an essential worker like no other.

Try not to race through this book, but if you do, it's worth a reread.

If I had my own talk show, the three famous people that I would want to interview would be Brother Moses, Brother Elijah, and The Lord Jesus Christ.

I chose to interview Brother Moses because of his diligence and obedience to serve the Lord by guiding God's people in the ways of the Lord for 40 years. His leadership style is very complex because of the way he was created. God created him in a way where his speech did not allow him to talk too much, yet he had the boldness as a young man to support God's people in the ways of the Lord.

If I had a talk show, I want to gain more insights on his leadership skills in the Lord by managing God's people in a peaceful and humble manner despite dealing with common behavioral issues. In addition, I want to know his experiences that shaped his strength and confidence in the Lord to overcome trials and temptations as a leader.

Secondly, I chose to interview Brother Elijah because of his faith to stand up for his belief when he was all alone. Also, with his steadfastness, God performed a mighty miracle with Brother Elijah that brought people closer to God.

This was Brother Elijah's background: Brother Elijah was in the midst of tribulation in the land of Israel. A rebellion broke out, which led false teachers to harm and imprison men of God. Therefore, evil men sought after Brother Elijah, and he strove to keep himself alive. However, as the Lord encountered and encouraged him, Brother Elijah stood boldly in the midst of his adversaries (which were 800-850 enemies who were against him).

Nevertheless, Brother Elijah stood strong in the Lord, called on God to send fire to burn up the water on his altar, and the Lord heard him. Therefore, God brought it to pass, which made people believe in the God of Elijah and made all his adversaries suffer. From this triumphant experience, I want to gain more insights into his boldness in the Lord which allowed him to successfully overcome his adversaries.

Lastly, but certainly not least, I chose to interview the Lord Jesus Christ to see how He was able to die for the whole world and live forevermore without sinning. I want to know His secrets on how He overcame the challenges of life, stood firm in what was right, and surpassed the opinions and abuse of mankind.

Just imagine His experience: The Lord Jesus Christ prayed fervently to the Father with drops of blood falling from his body, He remained obedient to the Father even when He asked for the abuse to pass over Him. However, the Father still wanted The Lord Jesus Christ to go through it.

Then, He willingly took our deadly wounds, bruises, and humiliation throughout his trial before the Jewish priests, Roman governor, and His own people. Finally, He carried the cross outside of his own city to be crucified, hanging from the cross for 6 hours straight before taking his last breath for the whole world. Then, on the third day, He rose again to show the world that He defeated sin and death in order to reign forevermore, not only for Himself but for us who love Him and receive Him as our Lord and Savior. His triumph over the perils of darkness is an inspiring testimony to learn His ways and walk in righteousness without wavering.

We inevitably live in a broken world where we see both the good and the evil. Interviewing these three famous people would give the audience a deeper understanding of the experiences where they overcame the trials of this world, especially pursuing peace with diverse people, to live a victorious and peaceful life while gaining favor with God and man.

I use to think I understood love, even knew it. I used to think love was singular, clean without difficulties. It’s always the curve balls you are thrown, that opens your eyes. Love is the one thing we will never quite understand. I must say, I’m glad as humans we can’t, that way we can’t destroy it. Love is so resilient it appears in the ugliest of places and situations, unexpected, without reason and always untainted.. You never ask for it, can never buy it and nothing you have can replace it.. We often miss it, because of the restrictions we place on it. And sometimes love has to be shared, it evolves, it moves, it moves us, it moves on. It even proves to us, it never was, even when we thought it was or it could be, or would stay.. Love is what it needs to be, when it needs to be, for who it needs be, however long it takes. Its the purest unpredictable feeling you ever know.

A living creature,

Ebbing and following.

Breathing being of life,

Shrinking and growing.

Consuming all in it's path,

For better or for worse.

Sparing none it's wrath,

Bestowing a curse.

Destruction and chaos,

Beauty and heat.

Seeking the next victim

To bow at it's feet.

I smile

You look through me

Past me

At her

I walk away

From perfection