I remember how easy life was when all you had to worry about was the crust on your peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  I remember counting to 30 just to be able to swing at recess. I remember how much fun we had playing house. (I'd make you be the pet dog.) I remember picking the neighbors flowers just to give to you. I remember digging for worms and selling mud pies. I remember That's So Raven and Phil of the Future. I remember how big I felt when I finally started middle school. I remember realizing how small I really was. I remember seeing my dad cry for the first time. I remember how long it felt when he was in Iraq. I remember how close we all were and how much fun we had. I remember when we first started liking each other. I remember his hands and how big they felt holding mine. I remember my first kiss. (I think about it all the time.) I remember the time he asked me what my favorite color was. I remember it ending and how much everything changed. I remember the warm sand between my toes and the sun rays on my skin. I remember the salty water and all the colorful fish. I remember walking into Lone Peak High School as a student. I remember how good it felt to be shorter than most of the guys. I remember going to Texas and Oklahoma for American Idol. I remember how surreal it was to sing in front of the celebrity judges. I remember when all my friends let high school get to their heads. I remember learning how to drive. I remember all the mistakes I have made. I remember all the boys that I have kissed. I remember the first day I started to dance and sing. I remember yesterday. I remember today.

I'm supposed to give you instructions on how to do something.

Don't worry I will, once I think of something to instruct you on.

Just because you know who I am now, doesn't mean I'm going to stop writing. I want to show you who I am, how I think, and what I feel. Even with the possibility of you judging me, or hating it just because it was me that wrote it, I don't care. I just want to be me. I want you to be you, and I just want everyone to be real. Now we have that chance. Don't stop writing your feelings or what you think just because some people know who you are now. That shouldn't change anything, even though it probably does. You shouldn't care. Your writing is beautiful. You are beautiful. I am not one to judge. Never have been. We all have made our share of mistakes and still do. We have different weaknesses, strengths, likes, dislikes... but that is what makes us beautiful. Now instead of praising a pen name, we can actually praise each other. That is the way it should be, and the way it should always be. [insert name here]...[Kira Hannemann]

Too grown up. 

I wish I could do more to help you see yourself the way I see you. Perfect. Even though no one is really  perfect... I think you are. At least the closest person to perfect I have ever known. You struggle. A lot. And yes, you have made mistakes, but all of that has shaped you into this amazing human being I'm so lucky to call mine. Stop saying you aren't good enough. You know how mad that makes me. I've never had someone treat me the way you do. Even one simple look in your eyes makes my mood escalate. I can't imagine my life without you in it. You have made me a better person. You always put me back on the right track. That means a lot to me. 

Poetry has never been my specialty. I've always envied those who have the gift to put simple words together and make it sound so beautiful. The way they can speak them with such power and emotion. I wish I was able to get out of my box enough to do that. You can say I'm jealous. Very jealous actually. I try and try and try and try. I can never find the right words. But these poets that we all know and love do it with such easiness, or so it seems. Jealous. Envious. Frustrated. Yes, that is me. But at least I get the enjoyment of reading the great poems that have already been written.

The sky is clear, and it's a windy night.

Staring at me with her big brown eyes, what an amazing sight.

Her hair long and flowing, moving in the breeze.

As soft and as gentle as the whispers from the trees.

She walks to me, and pulls me into a tight embrace.

But then she slowly looks up with her beautiful face.

She giggles, and her bottom lip she bites.

Oh how I love seeing that brilliant flash of white.

Move in, then a kiss, then another and again.

I am so lucky to call her my bestfriend.

I with her, and her with me.

There's nowhere else i'd rather be.

With her, the time goes flying by.

On this windy night, with the clear sky.

-[insert name here]

Dear Moon,

          thank you. Thank you for staying awake at night just so we can have a romantic kiss in your light, or make up fictional characters that transform in your presence. Or even put your phases tattooed on our skin and printed on our tee-shirts. Thank you for working so hard each day to orbit around Earth to give each of us a chance to see your beauty surrounded by our stars. Without you Moon, we wouldn't have the ocean tides.  We would not get the enjoyment we feel when we go to the sandy shores. Thank you for that too. I'm sorry that you always get looked over because of Sun. That must be hard sometimes. We do love you. Even when you're bleeding you still look beautiful. But don't worry, we all stay awake to make sure you are okay when you are. I hope you aren't lonely up there. I want to come visit you one day. Not a lot of people get that chance, but someday I will. Thank you Moon, for everything. 

Sincerely,

[insert YOUR name here]

I've realized how real life is getting this past week. The things that I have been looking forward to are now scaring me. Really bad. I was excited to be done. High school hasn't been the greatest for me, but now looking back I wish I would have done more. I wish I would have gone to more parties and tried out for more things. But, there's nothing I can do about it now. We are graduating. I am graduating. Not only from high school, but from childhood. That is the final step into adulthood. We'll all have to move out and live on our own. That freaks me out. I used to think I was ready, but now all I want to do it stop time. Rewind, and live it all again. But I can't. As much as I want to do that I know I will never be able to. Maybe I am ready for this. Maybe it is time for me to grow up and be independent. It's time for all of us to. I guess that is pretty exciting.We all get to move on to the next stage of life together. Good luck to all. I wish you all the very best. We are going our separate ways in about a month, and we are ready for the adventure life has for us. 

Sincerely,

[insert name here]

I know this isn't exactly what the post is supposed to be, but I've always wondered what it would be like to be in space. I mean, yeah "technically" we already are, but I mean space space. The space where the stars burn, and astronauts float around. I wonder what it would be like the not have the Earth's gravitational pull. (After seeing the movie Gravity, it seems kinda scary, but I still wonder what it would be like)  Just imagine. No noise. Nothing. Oh how amazing that would be at this moment. There is so much noise around me I can barely hear these words in my head to type. The stress has me in it's hold and gravity is still pulling me down. My space camp would have to be... space. (Well, space space)

death is something we can't ignore. it happens to everyone. some earlier than others. some just too early. some people don't get the chance to say goodbye.  but knowing that makes me want to live. no one knows when they are going to leave the earth behind, or when someone they love will leave. it's something people mourn over, and cry about. but it could also be a very beautiful thing. birth is the beginning of life. death is like the graduation of life. and like graduation of high school you move onto college. after death you move into heaven. that's what is beautiful. i know someday i am going to die. so why worry about the things that really do not matter? let's make life all beautiful. there is always gonna be a sucky day that you can't get around or through. but learn. move on. and live until we die. 

you were my dads littlest brother

you looked like him

at least in the pictures I saw of you

you liked to skateboard

my dad taught you how

he also taught you how to surf and play basketball

I saw a picture of that 

dad said you were his favorite

maybe because his oldest brothers drank

and you were the one that kept everyone happy

especially him

your friend was driving

and I think you were in the back with your girlfriend

not sure what happened

all I know is that there was a semi-truck 

and a collision

now 20 years later I'm wishing you were here

I always wonder what you would have looked like 

or what you even looked like at all

you left 3 months after my older sister was born

I know grandma and grandpa really miss you

we all do

but we know you're happy 

you are still loved by all of us

One of my biggest fears happened to two girls very close to me. They were only three when it started. He was their babysitters brother. He would "watch" them instead. It went on for about a year or so before their parents figured it out. They told the police. The boy was seventeen and was not tried as an adult, though he should have been. With the situation being very serious and awkward, the two families of the little girls moved away. Those little girls are now twenty, and have grown a lot from this trial, but have also struggled with depression. My intention of posting this is not to scare you, but to say that things do happen. It is okay to fear. In fact, it is healthy to fear. It keeps you cautious and aware. 

I fear I won't be a good parent. 

I fear I will never live out my dreams.

I fear I won't reach my goals.

I fear I will get kidnapped. 

I fear I will be remembered for my mistakes. 

I fear I won't graduate.

I fear I will die.

I fear I won't finish college. 

I fear I won't be good enough.

I fear I will never get married. 

I fear I will be alone.

I fear I won't be able to be myself. 

 

sometimes i feel like my body can't keep up with my brain. i have at least 11 songs stuck in my head at all times, and another 14 ideas racing around in my mind. i try to pay attention in school.i really do. but all the words get crammed inside with all the ideas and songs and that is when i lose it. the ideas i have would be incredible if i could figure out how to explain what they are. but that is how my brain works. sometimes i don't make any sense. even to myself. i need to find a way to put my brain energy into action. i guess that's why i am venting to you right now. 

[insert YOUR name here]

thanks for listening.

I remember playing with the leftover bricks after my friends house was built. They were just the standard bricks. You know, the red ones. 

Anyways, I remember trying to see how high I could stack them until they would wobble and fall down. One landed on my foot once...but that's not the point. 

The reason I bring this up is because, I feel like not a lot has changed. I still see how high I can build my walls, until they come tumbling down. Only now it isn't with the red bricks. I now build my walls with insecurities, fears, doubts, and things that just scare me.

I get so guarded sometimes. 

I hide behind these walls that have graffiti that say, "happy", "confident" and "perfect", when in reality the walls are built with the things that contrast those words. 

The problem with doing this is not that the walls come down, because I know they shouldn't be built anyways, but it's the fact that the walls come down all at once with a loud crash when they reach the bottom. 

I hold everything inside way too long and then I have a break down. I don't know if this is making sense to any of you. This might just apply to me. But, if this does apply to you in anyway, let's make a promise to each other right now. Let's promise to not build our walls so high anymore.

 Repeat after me: I, [insert YOUR name here], do promise, to never build my walls to point where I can no longer see over them. I will not let my fears and doubts overcome my confidence and happiness again. I promise to do this for the rest of my life.

I feel like the people that try so hard to be different, are the people that struggle the most. They are the ones with the low self esteem desperately trying to get somebody to notice them. But, I could be wrong. Maybe, they are the ones with the most confidence and just want to stand out among their peers. Whatever their reason may be, whether their self esteem is fallen or they are glowing with confidence, we shouldn't judge them. In fact, I think we should give them props. Give them props for trying something different and new. Really it is a beautiful thing. Imagine if everyone looked the same. Imagine if everyone dressed the same. Or if everyone talked the same and liked the same things. This world would be boring. Diversity in races, styles, hobbies, and skills is what makes life fun. We are attracted to different things. We have different strengths and weaknesses. We all look different, yet we are all human. We all make mistakes. We all have feelings. So why make someone feel worthless or judge someone because of their differences? Everyone has a reason for everything. But they shouldn't have to explain why they do the things they do. It is their choice. I think we should all strive to be different. 

i

don't

care

what

you

say

about

me

it

is 

what 

i

say 

about 

myself

that 

matters

all

i 

want

is

to

be

me

and 

being 

me

is

different

why

would

i

want

to

be

like

everyone

else

when

i

can

be

me

forget

about

what

people

say

[insert YOUR name here]

you 

are

beautifully 

different

and 

that 

is

the

best 

thing

you 

can

be

because 

being

different

means

you

are

just

being

[insert YOUR name here]

Raise it higher. Raise your hand as high as you can, and your courage higher. You deserve rights and equality. Raise that sign of hope, of courage, of strength, and don't ever put it down. Keep it up forever. Maybe someday they will realize it is not a sign of disrespect or dishonor. It is the exact opposite. It's for power. Power for our country to be as one. It is for respect. The respect that every human being deserves. Whether you're black, white, polynesian, asian, hispanic or indian. Whether you like girls or boys. Whether you're an athlete, nerd, musician...It doesn't matter. You, [insert YOUR name here], deserve respect. Respect your country, your people, your family, and your culture. Respect your freedom, because not everyone gets it. Raise your fist. Raise it high. For the rest of your life...keep it raised. 

This is for [insert YOUR name here]

Love.

Love is being surrounded by nothing but miles of salt water in the middle of the night.

Love is an unwritten song. 

Love is a black stain on your brand new pair of shoes. 

Love is the soft pedals on a rose.

Love is jumping on the tramp. 

Love is making someone feel awkward when you look in their eyes.

Love is the sarcasm in their voice. 

Love is why we are living.

Love is a sitting duck. 

Love is shooting a gun.

Love is the sound of a cricket during the night.

Love is falling off a horse.

Love is a football game. 

Love is the twinkle in your eye. 

Love is the knot in your hair.

Love is the elephant in the room.

Love is the heavy backpack you have to carry around. 

Love is your alarm that wakes you up in the morning. 

Love is wishing on a star.

Love is a poem.

Love is walking to your car in the middle of winter. 

Love is a constant heartburn. 

Love is... Love.

Kids. 

They seem so small, then I remember that was me. 

Running around at recess, coloring with crayons, digging for worms, and showing off to your childish crushes. 

My favorite thing as a kid was recess for sure. 

I remember I had to count to thirty until it was my turn to swing on the swings.

 I did that a lot. 

When a kid messes up, people just say it's because they're kids and don't know any better... 

I miss that. 

I wish I could just blame my mistakes on being a kid. 

I miss recess. 

I miss being a kid. 

The graduation from CRAYONS to colored pencils was a big change.

I can't imagine how big of a change the graduation from high school to college will be.

I remember having the big pack of CRAYONS with the sharpener on the back. I would keep them in perfect order and make sure I always had every single one. Now I can't even keep track of a single pencil. 

I miss my CRAYONS. I miss the waxy feeling I would get on my fingers after I colored. 

Everything is different now. When I pick up CRAYONS I'm reminded of the change. I'm reminded of the memories. 

I'm scared to graduate. I was scared to graduate to colored pencils too, but now I'm ready for the change. Thanks to my CRAYONS I've learned that good things come and go, but the memories will always stay with us.

Give me a topic to write about and I will come up with a million ideas.

Give me the freedom to write whatever I want and I can't think of anything. 

Dear diary,

there are times when life feels like too much to handle. 

Constantly making wrong decisions just keeps adding up. One bad 

thing after another makes it almost impossible. But I don't want 

to sounds like every other person anymore. I don't want to sound 

like the sad songs on the radio. I realize now that bad and 

tragic things happen to everyone. People die. We break down. We 

judge ourselves and others. We fall and stay down. Everyone makes 

mistakes. No one is the same. We have different interests, 

strengths, and weaknesses. But we all have this one thing in 

common...

 We are only human.

But that should not stop us from seeing 

happiness and love. 

When I fall I will stand. 

When it rains I will dance. 

When I make a wrong decision I will learn.

When I judge I will stop.

When I fail I will try.

When I'm hurt I will love.

That is my promise to myself. So diary, thank you for 

listening to a human with hope. 

Sincerely,

[insert YOUR name here] 

[introduction]

I want you to insert your name, because this was made for you.  

There's something about people not knowing who you are. It gives you freedom. It gives you a clean slate. It gives you a chance to be whoever you want, and in this case, I am YOU.  

I am the boy with the passion to sing;

I am the person who is constantly struggling;

I am the girl with the ambition to succeed;

I am the voice of the person too afraid to speak;

I am the one who seems like they have everything;

I am the nerd, the jock, the model, the student;

I am [insert YOUR name here].