"You Need to Date"

The wise words of a fifth grade girl, "You need to date."

I have recently spent some time in a 4th/5th grade split class for my practicum. (For those of you who do not know what practicum is, it is kind of like student teaching, but not... make sense)  Going from a 1st grade class to this 4th/5th grade class has been a big change.  Besides the obvious age difference, 4th and 5th graders tend to be a lot more worried about my relationship status than the 1st graders ever were.  In fact, I don't think a single 1st grader ever asked me about my relationship status.  Needless to say, on my second day in  the 4th/5th grade class a 4th grader (we'll call her Sarah) asked me with a great big smile if I had a boyfriend.  When I told her I didn't, she preceded to tell me about her cousin who "needs a girlfriend."  I am now the proud owner of a piece of paper with a phone number on it.  I know nothing about the person who's phone number it is, not his name, not his age, nothing.  Well, a few weeks have passed and without fail Sarah asks me everyday if I have called her cousin, which I respond with a simple no.

Today, while eating lunch, Sarah along with two of the 5th graders in the class began to interrogate me about my dating history.  They soon learned that I do not have a boyfriend and that I never have.  I told them I have been on dates, but that I have never been serious with anyone.  This is when the 5th grader (let's call her Grace) told me "you need to date."  She then offered her 18 year old cousin whom I kindly refused. (Still in high school... Major turn off)  Sarah reminded me of her cousin, telling me all of his good attributes.  He is tall, nice, cute, funny, etc.  Sophie (the other 5th grader) told me I could date her brother when he gets home from his mission.

These girls are sweet, but I can't help but wonder why they are so concerned with my relationship status.  Maybe I should be more concerned with it?  I don't get out much because when I am home from school I am consumed with homework.  I can't really blame the men in my life, because there really aren't any.  This is mostly my fault because I don't put myself in situations where I can meet them.  I struggle opening up to new people.  I don't like to share details of my life with just anyone.  I don't let people in.  I am kind of in love with a boy who doesn't know it.  I catch myself holding back often because I just want to date him.  Well he kind of can't be dated at the moment, so I just need to get out there.  When someone says they have someone they want me to meet I need to go meet him.  The only way I can go on dates with boys is if I meet them first.

So, I guess Grace is right.  I do need to date.  But first I need to put myself in a position where I can meet new people.  And who knows maybe my next date will be with someone I haven't even met yet.

Little kids are really smart.  Listen to them.

Love always... Chaeli

Letter to Heaven

Dear Heaven,

So I've been feeling kind of down lately.  You know, missing many people who live in your beauty.  Especially a certain big brother.  I wish so bad that you had a phone or even email.  Just to hear is voice again.  Hear is laugh again.  See his smile again.  Listen to him ramble on about things that only he understands.  It's all the little things that I miss.  I even miss him critiquing my choice of fashion.  I miss him telling me that my dance costumes make my butt look big.  I just miss him.  I know you are taking care of him.  I know he is happy and that he is serving those that passed on before him.  I just want to get a text from him.  I want him to ask me "Why are you here?" in that teasing tone when I go home.  I just want to talk to my big brother one more time.  Is that too much to ask for?  I miss him more and more everyday.  I find myself forgetting what he sounded like.  I don't want to forget anything about him.  I'm so grateful that I have pictures of him, but sometimes pictures just aren't enough.  They don't show his loving spirit, or his glow.  The pictures don't talk back.  They can't give me advice that only he could.  I am so grateful for the time I had with him.  I am so happy that I know that someday I will get to join him in your beauty.  I only hope that it will seem like no time has gone by at all.  I hope that when I do get to hear his voice again, I treasure it more than ever before.  I don't want to miss a single moment of his life.  I know that although he is living in your beauty he is still here for me when I need him the most.  Even knowing this, it is so hard not to miss him and want him physically here.  Is that selfish of me?  If it is, I'm sorry.  I just want to laugh with him again.  I just want to give him a hug.  I never hugged him enough while he was here.  Please always let him hear me.  Always let him comfort me.  Always let my big brother be there for me.  It's hard to think of big things happening in my life and him not being here to share those things with me.  When I think of graduating, getting married, having kids, or any other milestones I can't help but to cry because he won't be with me.  I won't get to have a picture of me and ALL my brothers at my wedding.  It breaks my heart.  I know that in the eternal perspective these things aren't that big of a deal, but right now in my life I can't even stand to think about it.  So Heaven, I guess what I'm saying is I miss my Jo Bro more than ever.  I know he is where he is supposed to be, but sometimes my emotions get the best of me and all I want is for him to come back.  Please don't ever let me forget anything about him.  Keep his spirit alive in my heart.  Help me to smile because of all the things we did get to do.  Help me not to dwell on the things he won't be here for.  It's hard to believe that he's been gone for 10 months already.  It doesn't seem like very long, but at the same time it feels like he's been gone for years.  I miss him.  Tell him I love him.  Tell him not to forget about me either.  Tell him I always need my big brother.  Tell him I pray for him.  Tell him not to forget about mom and dad.  Tell him not to forget about the boys either.  We all need his help to push forward.  Tell him we miss him everyday and every minute and every second.  Tell him we love him.  Tell him to work hard and to help others.  He is such a great person and he can and will accomplish so much living in your beauty.  You are so lucky to have his amazing spirit with you.  He's the best.

Love Always... Chaeli

The Power of a Compliment

So I've been kind of down today.  I got a letter from my best friend last night that has made me worried sick about her all day.  I don't know what to do and I wish I could help her more.  I've been kind of grouchy because I want to do more.  I haven't had a good outlook on the day at all.  And I should.  It is sunny and happy out side and I am sad and dim inside.  Anyways, I've been doing homework all day.  I emailed an assignment to my ESL teacher.  I expected an email back from her because she always sends one to let me know that she got my assignment.  What I didn't expect was the simple act of kindness she returned.  

This was her response:


"Got it! Thanks!

PS I loved your blue sequin top that you wore to class! I was going to tell you last week, but didn't get the chance! :-)"


So simple, yet so powerful.  This compliment hasn't made me worry any less about my dear friend, but it has changed my perspective on the day.  I am now seeing this beautiful day as it really is.  Bright, sunny, and happy.  I'm not dreading (as much) my two classes tonight.  Mostly because my last class is with this wonderful teacher who probably doesn't realize the power behind her simple compliment.

You never know how that simple compliment is going to effect someone's day.  So the next time you get that urge to tell someone you like their hair, their smile, their attitude, or even their blue sequin top don't brush it by.  Act on it.  You might just turn their sad gloomy day around.

Go compliment someone today :)

 

Love Always... Chaeli