As many of you may remember, my little bro, is currently surviving the tortures of Marine boot camp. I have been writing to him on a weekly basis and been hearing of his evolution through our mom. One day he sounds completely positive and the next very depressed and scared. It really is heartbreaking at times. I know it’s all good and he will make it, because that is how we are.

My brother and I are a lot alike in many ways. Even though there is a huge age gap, we have always had a special bond. He has always been very accepting of me for who I am and is one of the few family members that I can feel totally relaxed around. He is a thinker and open to new ideas. He is a hard worker, and a wonderful uncle to my boys.

I love him like crazy and his downward spiral has been absolutely agonizing to watch. I know that awesome caring guy that he once was and to see him change for the worse brings tears to my eyes. I know he will come around. I know he can come back. He has already started.

I am proud of him for taking the step, trying to do something with his life, by joining the Marines. Today, I will mail him out a card telling him this. Hopefully it will bring some of the encouragement he needs at this difficult time and reassure him how much he means to us.

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The other night I had this strange dream about a friend from college. I woke up bothered by what emotions I explored within my dream. It got me thinking, as so many of my dreams do, and I decided to embark upon a year long commitment.

There are so many reminders out there about how fleeting life can be. Seems almost weekly something happens to remind me that I need to hug those around me and let them know how much I care. I usually think about it and then when it boils down to the nitty gritty- do very little.

Life is difficult and stressful. Between the everyday hardships of building a successful marriage, parenting, economizing, and still trying to look alive, I often doubt myself. Sometimes I wonder if all my hard work is for vain, or if my mistakes will speak louder. I know this is not just me that feels this way. It’s the human condition. I would like to reassure someone out there that they are making a difference.

I consider myself a very generously verbose person. I don’t usually keep to myself how I feel about people. I tell them, but would like to kick it up a notch. Often I don’t see all the people that mean so much to me. I am not sure that I have told all the people that have changed my life how wonderful they are. This is going to change.

I am hereby committing to write one special person in my life a note of appreciation every week. I am not going to email it, if at all possible. I want to hand write, on fancy paper, a note letting the people I love know how much they mean to me. I want them to reach in their mailbox and find a note of encouragement among their bills and junk mail.

And I am not going to write out a list, planning who to do every week. I am going to go with the flow. Write who comes to mind and tell them with depth. Not a simple cover statement, but point out why I think they are so great. Like with my friend from college.

I have always admired her reserve and strength. She glides through difficult times with such a laid back attitude and strength. She doesn’t fall apart and carry on like the world is ending (as I have a tendency to do). She has patience and is a real friend that, even after 10 years of me being a crappy friend, still reaches out to me. I love her for all those things and I don’t think I have ever told her (besides in my dream). Well, not for long. Sometime next week she will be receiving a letter from me telling her just this…

Does anyone else want to join my little challenge? Do you want to make the world a more thoughtful place? I plan on posting every Thursday a blurb about my letter. Join in! Leave me a comment and I will give you some linky love.

Updated 1/11-

I’ve got 2 very thoughtful bloggers to join me so far. Anyone else?

1. Adele

2. Lynsey

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