Birthday Letter at 29

Here is a letter to myself about what the past year has been and what hopes I have  for the year ahead. Sprinkled throughout this post are various pictures taken throughout the year. 

Today you turn 29 years old. Can you believe it? When did THAT happen?

Last year you definitely took more risks which is amazing because you wrote about that in last year's birthday letter and you DID it! Some of them didn't pan out and some did, but isn't that the point of taking risks? Like you said before, no matter what the outcome, the experience alone will be worth it (and it was!).  God has also given you a community of people who love and challenge you to seek God and His Kingdom in your small group bible study. Another hope from last year that God so gracefully brought to life.

So looking ahead, I hope you are able to continue your process of healing and restoration through counseling and continue to take risks. Remember that relationships are difficult but the good ones are worth fighting for. Listen openly and share honestly with your loved ones and those near to your heart.

I hope that you pursue writing more seriously this year. Whether that means here on your blog or other places, just write more. You have an idea for a concept and I hope that you use this year to flesh it out and see if it can grow into something more. (hint: It has to do with being single vs. in a relationship and bringing those worlds together in harmony).

I hope you allow yourself to open up and receive love without doubt or insecurity. Believe the words of the people in your inner circle because they care about you and want the best for your life. Don't let any lies take that love away from you. Right now you're in a relationship that is just beginning to blossom and grow. Nurture it and bring your community into the entire process. You never thought you'd be asking the questions you are or experiencing the love you have, but here you are. Enjoy the good times and learn from the trials. He is a blessing to your life and challenges you in new and fantastic ways. Make sure you help him to feel loved and work to make him stronger just as he does for you as well.

Enjoy the things in life that you have and stop comparing yourself to others. They might have something you want, but you have been blessed and can to be grateful for the gifts you do receive. Work to bring down the jealous voices in your head because they do nothing helpful for anyone. Instead, practice thankfulness and grace towards yourself and those around you. Be a light of positivity rather than a shadow of envy.

And lastly, I hope this year you are better able to find your voice. Find what you're passionate about, what turns you on; what you want to be about and pursue it wholeheartedly. My hope for this next year is for honesty and passion to fill every aspect of your life. Don't fear your voice and the power you have in your words, thoughts & feelings. They have more value that you give them credit for. Explore new and healthy ways to express them and bring out the inner strength of your friends & family too!

Remember to take time to appreciate life's little pleasures. And for God's sake, live a little!!
This is your last year in the 20's so you better enjoy the hell out of it!

 

Happy Birthday Brother!

Today my brother turns 25 and I want to continue in a practice of writing him a letter each year for his birthday to reflect on the year that has passed and the many years ahead. 

To Josh: Happy Birthday little brother. Today you turn 25! It's hard for me to believe that little boy above is now 25 years old and living a pretty amazing life.  

Even now in my wiser age (number stricken from the record) you still know more of the things you want to accomplish than I have even begun to consider. You have a long-time career goal and you constantly look for opportunities to grow and develop your craft through script supervising, production, and working at CBS over the past year as a page. I hope to someday have the same focus in my work and what I want to do in life as I've seen you have in yours. 

I know romance hasn't always been easy for you, but I know that someday you will make some girl the luckiest girl in the world. You are a gentleman and I'm continually proud of you for your respect of women and decency towards others. Knowing that there are still guys like you in the world helps ease any of my concerns for future generations. You are a hopeless romantic; I know I mock that sometimes (because I'm not even close to being one) but it's sweet to see that hope and desire for love alive in someone so young. 

My hope for you in the next year(s) would be that you learn to be more flexible with the little challenges that life can bring. People are complex and each life has it's own story. I hope that you are able to bend and move with the flow of life and not be too hard on yourself or others when they fall short. Humans are flawed creature, but the best you can do is support those you love and constantly encourage them to be better to the best of their abilities.

I often tell people that I didn't grow up with a best friend or having someone close to confide in, but now I realize that just is't true. I had you. Sure, you were a built-in best friend and basically had no choice in the matter, but damn we had fun...right? I am grateful for your friendship and showing me how to care for another person. Thanks for walking with me to Burger King in the summer for lunch, swimming in the community pool, dancing to 'Nsync, and then quickly doing our "chores" before mom came home from work. I couldn't have asked for a better friend than the one God gave me in you. I'm so glad I had you when we would go between mom and dad's house because I would have been so lonely without someone to watch movies or play Mario Kart with me!

Today we celebrate you and the joy you've brought to the lives of everyone you meet. Never lose your sense of humor because it'll help you get through the not-so-funny moments life throws at you.

I love you very much.
Celebrate and know that you are loved today and the rest of your days.

Love, 

DeeDee

28th year

Erika: 

Today you turn 28 years old and seeing that number written on the page feels odd.  But you are writing a letter in the third person so you're clearly an odd person already :) 

Here is a letter to myself about what the past year has been and what hopes I have for the year ahead. 

You are 28 years old and you are still discovering who you are. While it might be "normal"... you still feel like you're behind the curve. The great part is that you're finally in a place to accept that things in life happen slower for you than most people. And that's okay. 

You've never been the most adventurous person, but I hope that you take more risks this year and decide that no matter what the outcome, the experience alone will be worth it. 

You are an obsessive person and I hope you use this to your benefit this year. Find things that make you happy and people to share that happiness with each day! Invite people into your fangirl world and don't take their opinions/criticism too personally. You love whatever it is and that should be enough. 

I hope that you find a community of people who will challenge and accept you and help you become a stronger and more confident person. I pray that this year is all about gaining confidence and accepting who you were created to be. Don't let anyone tell you different. 

You (VERY) recently got to meet your two favorite actors/celebrities and it was remarkable. You made eye contact with Jensen Ackles and your heart skipped a few beats. He even called you sweetheart. Sigh. You are going to many more conventions and hope to have many more skipped heartbeats with that dude. Remember...he's worth it.

On a somber note, each year your birthday month tends to be a tough month with many "anniversaries" of losing people. It is extremely painful for both you and your family as you balance the pain of loss and being grateful for another birthday personally. Unfortunately this year was no exception. We lost a friend to cancer and we pray for his family and all of us grieving his passing. I pray also that God reveals more of Himself to you and why August is both a celebration of life and mourning death. Ask Jesus and await His response.  

Here's to a year of new discoveries, reflections, adventures, and experiences. 

Also: whenever you are sad just look at this picture and remember how happy they made/make you. 

Happy 28th :) 

Letter to my Brother

Today my brother turns 24 years old and I would like to write him a (very public) letter of celebration on his big day!

Josh: You are probably still sleeping (living the Scripty life!) but I want to wish you a very happy 24th birthday. You have had a crazy year and I wanted to remind you of all you've accomplished and experienced this year.

You moved to LA and made the dream a reality by finally leaving Thousand Oaks. You met with a bunch of people who have helped to guide and motivate you towards working on being a Script Supervisor full-time. You might not believe it, but you are a very motivated person and I'm constantly impressed by the effort you put into finding work, building your resume, and networking.

You are one of the funniest people that I know. Sometimes the way you tell a joke (that you heard from a comedian) is WAY funnier that how the comedian said it!

You got to work with Matt LeBlanc AND Samuel Larson ;) You are big time now. I'll have my people call Spielberg's people, so they can confirm with your people and we'll set something up.

You are a gentleman and such a good man. I am proud to say you're my brother when I think about how you view and treat women. It is SO rare to find a guy who values and respects women the way that you do. Never lose that.

Although I am constantly reminding you that success doesn't come right away for everyone (Jon Hamm, Oprah) you do inspire me to work harder to achieve my own goals/dreams simply because you are doing it for yourself and you are making a living in the industry that you love. I don't know too many people who can say that about their own lives.

I love you immensely and I can't wait to see where life takes you in your 24th year. I'm glad I get to watch it all happen for someone so deserving of all the good life has to offer. I'm so utterly proud to call you my brother.

Love you 'lil brudder.