Soapweed
Well-known member
For an English assignment last spring, the students were to write a letter to one of their imaginary offspring warning them of some of the pitfalls of life. The Kosmo Kid wrote this true letter to his "imaginary" daughter. With ranchwife's post about "Demodriver going off to college" and the replies that followed, it reminded me that this might be an appropriate time to put up the Kosmo Kid's letter.
To my daughter:
My daughter, I am writing this letter to remind you of the pain this world can offer. Even those with a strong upbringing on moral standards can falter with the smallest of temptations. You never knew your Aunt Tiffany, but she and I were very close. All through my formative years, my sister was there for me. She would care for me when your grandmother wasn't around. Everyone who knew Tiffany was a better person, if for no other reason than knowing her. This letter wasn't written to lecture you on life's lessons, but provide you with a story of betrayal, true love, and the unfairness of life.
Tiffany was a 4.0 student all through high school. She achieved a 31 on her ACT exam, and received acceptance to the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. Her life's goal was to one day be a world-renowned architect. She wanted her mansions to be unique and genuine, so everyone would know they were hers. She wanted them to be built with the highest quality and with a standard of a Frank Lloyd Wright building. I believe in my heart she could have easily accomplished this goal had there been ideal circumstances.
Tiffany never had any boyfriends in high school. She was a devout Christian and believed she should never waste her time on someone she couldn't someday marry. Love can be an illusive emotion. It can be very deceiving and should only be taken with caution. This is where your aunt followed the wrong path. In the summer of 2004 she met a handsome young man at a friend's wedding. This young man's name was Thaddeus; he deceived her with his convincing rhetoric and captivating charm. She immediately fell in love. To be honest, he deceived our whole family including myself. This is my deepest regret. I often wonder if I could have made a difference by seeing him without rose-colored glasses. Maybe, I could have done something to save my sister. All of the feelings I possess are not in vain. I just wanted to see her happy, because she found joy in seeing me happy. It was her turn, for once, to wear the crown and golden scepter.
Thaddeus and Tiffany are members of a religious cult where communication with the outer world is strictly prohibited. Tiffany has completely severed her connections with our Moreland family. I haven't heard, seen, or spoken to Tiffany for a full two years. She is dead to me, or am I dead to her? One thing I want you to realize is when she is ready to come home, I will race to Colorado to bring her back and nothing will get in my way. Tiffany's father-in-law, Russell, is the leader of the cult. Supposedly, he walks and talks with God, much like the angel Gabriel. This is sick and perverse, and a true abomination of God's true nature. Yet I feel it is necessary for you to hear it. Tiffany has a new family, one that supposedly loves her more then we love her. One would have thought Tiffany's Christian values would have had a deep enough foundation to withstand this kind of storm. This is the reason for my letter to you, so I can show you unrealistic scenarios and prepare you for them. There isn't a day in my life where I don't think of your aunt. I miss her more than you could ever know. At least, I never want you to feel this pain. Life can be harsh and unfair, but maybe I can save you from trouble unlike the way I couldn't save Tiffany.
This is a story that is unfinished. It has a beginning, but no end. The most intriguing part makes a person wonder what could have been, or what will be? It is hard to tell whether someone could have made a difference, or if some things are just inevitable. We continue to walk through rough terrain, no matter how we live. Your grandmother writes her a letter at least once a month telling her that we still love her and would like to keep in contact. It is hard to tell whether she even gets these letters. Yet these letters will never be an exercise of futility. I am confident they will have a purpose down the road. Feelings of revenge and anger are gone from my heart, and they have been replaced with love and compassion; so if for no other reason, this ordeal will not go without a positive side affect.
Keep in mind my daughter. If I could walk you through life and protect you from these dangers, I would. I have grown from this and I have learned from it. Hopefully you will learn from it, and not be caught off guard when placed with a temptation of this magnitude.
To my daughter:
My daughter, I am writing this letter to remind you of the pain this world can offer. Even those with a strong upbringing on moral standards can falter with the smallest of temptations. You never knew your Aunt Tiffany, but she and I were very close. All through my formative years, my sister was there for me. She would care for me when your grandmother wasn't around. Everyone who knew Tiffany was a better person, if for no other reason than knowing her. This letter wasn't written to lecture you on life's lessons, but provide you with a story of betrayal, true love, and the unfairness of life.
Tiffany was a 4.0 student all through high school. She achieved a 31 on her ACT exam, and received acceptance to the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. Her life's goal was to one day be a world-renowned architect. She wanted her mansions to be unique and genuine, so everyone would know they were hers. She wanted them to be built with the highest quality and with a standard of a Frank Lloyd Wright building. I believe in my heart she could have easily accomplished this goal had there been ideal circumstances.
Tiffany never had any boyfriends in high school. She was a devout Christian and believed she should never waste her time on someone she couldn't someday marry. Love can be an illusive emotion. It can be very deceiving and should only be taken with caution. This is where your aunt followed the wrong path. In the summer of 2004 she met a handsome young man at a friend's wedding. This young man's name was Thaddeus; he deceived her with his convincing rhetoric and captivating charm. She immediately fell in love. To be honest, he deceived our whole family including myself. This is my deepest regret. I often wonder if I could have made a difference by seeing him without rose-colored glasses. Maybe, I could have done something to save my sister. All of the feelings I possess are not in vain. I just wanted to see her happy, because she found joy in seeing me happy. It was her turn, for once, to wear the crown and golden scepter.
Thaddeus and Tiffany are members of a religious cult where communication with the outer world is strictly prohibited. Tiffany has completely severed her connections with our Moreland family. I haven't heard, seen, or spoken to Tiffany for a full two years. She is dead to me, or am I dead to her? One thing I want you to realize is when she is ready to come home, I will race to Colorado to bring her back and nothing will get in my way. Tiffany's father-in-law, Russell, is the leader of the cult. Supposedly, he walks and talks with God, much like the angel Gabriel. This is sick and perverse, and a true abomination of God's true nature. Yet I feel it is necessary for you to hear it. Tiffany has a new family, one that supposedly loves her more then we love her. One would have thought Tiffany's Christian values would have had a deep enough foundation to withstand this kind of storm. This is the reason for my letter to you, so I can show you unrealistic scenarios and prepare you for them. There isn't a day in my life where I don't think of your aunt. I miss her more than you could ever know. At least, I never want you to feel this pain. Life can be harsh and unfair, but maybe I can save you from trouble unlike the way I couldn't save Tiffany.
This is a story that is unfinished. It has a beginning, but no end. The most intriguing part makes a person wonder what could have been, or what will be? It is hard to tell whether someone could have made a difference, or if some things are just inevitable. We continue to walk through rough terrain, no matter how we live. Your grandmother writes her a letter at least once a month telling her that we still love her and would like to keep in contact. It is hard to tell whether she even gets these letters. Yet these letters will never be an exercise of futility. I am confident they will have a purpose down the road. Feelings of revenge and anger are gone from my heart, and they have been replaced with love and compassion; so if for no other reason, this ordeal will not go without a positive side affect.
Keep in mind my daughter. If I could walk you through life and protect you from these dangers, I would. I have grown from this and I have learned from it. Hopefully you will learn from it, and not be caught off guard when placed with a temptation of this magnitude.
