A letter to myself, I was lost but now I am found.

Jolene and her smashingly handsome husband

Dearest Jolene,

Where have you been? You once we're alive and full of life and wanted to record every thing that happened in your family, you wanted to share your thoughts on life for your children, to have something for them, and for yourself (because you have an awful memory) to look back on and treasure. You wanted to have something that would tell of the struggles in life, and all of the JOY in life, why did you give it up?

I understand completely that your transition from a typical family life in Arizona to student life in Pittsburgh was a struggle, but wouldn't it have been better to show all the things you learned along the way? Now I fear that the majority of it is evaporated in that memory of yours and that you'll regret not writing all those thoughts and feelings down. I know that depression, anxiety, uncertainties, and upsets are difficult, but wouldn't it have been better to keep on recording things, focusing on the good, or the lessons learned in those hard times?

Besides that, Jolene, you're experience in Pittsburgh hasn't been bad, its been a change, but you've had a good time. You've met so many interesting people, have made incredible friendships and have grown in a more understanding, deeper level in your spirituality. You've been able to listen to other peoples diverse points of view, and although, some of those you may not agree with, you've gained a better understanding of why they feel those ways, and you hope that they've been able to understand why you feel the way you do, and despite your differences have been able to see what beautiful people we all are.

Pirates Stadium at night taken from the river

Besides the best thing of all has happened to you here, you're a true Steelers fan now! How much better could that be? You have a mass array of black and gold and you use the word yinz in every day sentences. You're pretty much more awesome now then you would have ever been.


Jolene you're time is almost up, you move in a month. What will you do with that time. besides the obvious of packing and stressing? Will you make the most of the time you have left in the city of bridges? Will you try to update those "lost memories" and lessons learned? I hope you will, Pittsburgh has been good to you.