(Four consecutive poems written based upon Timothy Wilson’s Best Possible Self Reflection in his book Redirect. Written in the perspective of myself in 5-10 years reflecting upon where my life has taken me)
Wednesday: Dear Diary, I'm getting tired of this, Waking up feeling ill, Stomach churning and head spinning. So I walked to the doctor, And explained quietly to the nurse, The corner of her mouth raised as she handed me a test, "I'll wait in here just set it there, and we should known soon enough" So I'm sitting here now starring at the pamphlets on the wall, Thinking to myself how I even got here at all, My job as a Social Justice and Human Resources consultants, Provides me with the benefits I have, I can take a day off, Go to the doctor who is not to far, And sit here praying to some god that there isn't something wrong, The doctor knocks softly, Causing me to jump, Pamphlets in his hand each with a baby on the front, I feel my eyes start watering, From fear and solid cheer, "Miss, I must inform you that you are pregnant, Here's some information here..." As he drones on softly, I cup my stomach in my hand, We've been trying for this for some time now, We almost gave up too, But this fluttering beat inside my heart Means our wish has finally come true. Thursday: Dear Diary, We finalized my schedule today, Planned ahead for the last eight months, Truly it is bittersweet, To leave what I have worked so get for, I discussed doing online schooling, Until the baby can go to school, Which seems silly, I have received three diplomas in my life, What will one more do? But as my bosses eyes light up, As the idea popped in her head, "What if you worked from home, Changed it up and consulted for us instead, I know you love to travel, But this way you can stay with the baby until then." A soft twinkle hit my eye, A tear if you must know, For I am giving up consulting across the world, With companies unknown, A few less trips to Europe, No more late nights in Peru, Rather a computer screen at home, Instructing others how to do what I do, And once our meeting finished, I realized what I had, I might be changing how I do my job, But I have another one at hand. Friday: Dear Diary, I told him today, That our lives were going to change for the better, He looked confused as he sipped his cup of coffee, Then kissed me on the cheeks and was on his way, I heard the motorcycle leave the driveways, Smiled a sneaky smile, And proceeded with the plan... I surprised him at work today, Picked him up in our car, And drove him to the pier, Handed him a letter and waited for what I would hear, He tore the seal, My heart stopped as he mumbled the words to himself, One second, two seconds, three seconds...four seconds...five seconds, The a pause, His eyes grew wide, The paper floated softly from his hands, A flash, A warm embrace, Tears, No words...just happiness and fear beautifully wrapped into one. Saturday: Dear Diary, The happiness seems short lived, We agree on nothing, The first argument of many about our future, "I have to work," "You don't have to work overtime," "The money isn't there," "This is why we saved up," "But what if something happens," "Nothing ever does," "Our place isn't big enough," "It's a baby it doesn't need much room" "But what about when it grows up" "Stop screaming at me!" "Why are you crying" "I'm not ready..." "Neither am I..." "But we have to be..." "I love you..." "I love you too" Sunday: Dear Diary, We stayed in bed today, Just a little bit later than normal, Soaked in the Sun, And cherished moments of silent bliss, Filling out minds with muffled giggles and pounding hearts, In a way doing nothing was a way of celebrating, The fact that we have gotten this far, His job is going well, The promotion is all lined up, Financially we have nothing to worry about, Getting my masters was worth it, If it means I can do this for the next five years, As the gentle pulse in my stomach becomes pattering feet upon the hardwood floor, Yes breaking my back at work was worth the moment, That he placed his hand upon my stomach this morning, A sleepy smile spreading across his face, And whispered, "Hey there little one, I can't wait to see you, And hold you in my arms, But you have to do me a favor, As your dad, I want you to be nicer to your mom, And stop making her so ill, We are all super excited to meet you, But little baby you need to chill." And as he coos so softly, Feeling a small pulse beneath his hands, I release the sigh of relief, For the journey and the blessings I have.
365 Stagnated Love Letters 