Day 17

      Last night wasn't great but it could have been worse. Jr. woke up at 12 and I put her soother back in. 20 minutes later she was up again so I gave her Camilia, a homeopathic alternative to Tempra. 45 minutes after that she was up again so I gave her Tempra and she slept until 6:15. It makes me wonder if I should have just given her Tempra before bed. Is it safe and/or normal to give Tempra almost every night before bed at this stage? Maybe her teeth really are bothering her. Or maybe I'm just drugging her to sleep. 

Dear Someone From My Childhood,

    We weren't close friends. I don't think I ever invited you to a sleepover and I don't think I ever went to your birthday party (if you had them, I don't know). You were born in December and I was born in February. I remember thinking that you were very childish (because I was so mature in elementary school!); maybe I was growing up too fast or maybe it was just your personality that clashed with mine. You had a raspy voice, which I thought was odd for a young girl. You had a lot of freckles just like me and blunt bangs. 

    I don't know why I thought of you out of all the people from my childhood; you would think I would choose someone I was actually friends with. It's probably because almost 10 years ago I went back to my hometown and for whatever reason, stopped at the local supermarket, IGA Taché. I had been gone for more than 10 years at that point. But when I got in line to pay and looked at the cashier, I recognized you instantly. You didn't look happy being there -- bad morning? Hated your job? My breath caught in my throat. Should I say something? Would you even remember me? Instead I enjoyed the power of seeing while not being seen. I studied you and found the girl I remembered. I wanted to tell you that you had turned into a beautiful woman but I was too shy.

     I wonder if you still live in our hometown or if you've moved to the "big city". I wonder if you're married like me with kids or if you're still waiting for that special someone. Wherever you are in life, I hope you're where you want to be.

Missy (because that's what they called me in elementary school)