letters

 Dear AC,

I've been holding you close in my prayers the past few weeks. Wearing the yellow ribbon as a visual reminder day-to-day. I didn't know Emily was your big sister, and I'm so glad I was able to send you a message on Facetime on Friday when Mrs. Hauer called. I feel a small amount of comfort knowing you are no longer in pain and are free to be a kid in a better place. I will keep praying for you, your family, and our community as a whole, and I'm here to listen to anyone who wants to tell me all the stories I didn't know about you. Thank you for inspiring us with your strength, smile, and bravery.

Love, Ms. Brezek

Dear Jay,

It's been about four months since I've heard the news and I still think of you often. Your sisters sent a thank you card for coming to your services and it was like a gentle hug via snail mail that I'm so thankful for. I wish I could have known them when we were dating. I sent back a card with some pictures I found of us, you smiling, the day we danced in my kitchen, and us at Six Flags with Caitlyn. And another, but it's slipping my mind now. I also found some missed voicemails that I didn't notice at the time in my mailbox, so idk. It's been a (strange?) comfort to still be able to hear your voice. I am consoled knowing that you are no longer in pain and I hope doing all the things that brought you joy. Know that you are loved and missed by so many, myself included.

Love, Michelle

Dear Rob,

It's a snowy day in Chicago, two days after a 60 degree Saturday and I'm sitting on the couch watching the snow fall, and thinking about all our times in the pool during Arizona summers (and falls and springs). You having a Miller Lite (had a few recently, refreshing!) and come chips and guac, the dogs swimming, waiting for Caitlyn to wake up from her nap and swim the day away with us.

It's been about seven months since we lost you and I just have so many emotions. Like, I don't know if they're okay to say, but they must be because how can something I'm feeling be wrong? I'm devastated that we lost you. I'm mad you didn't get a vaccine that could have likely saved your life. My heart breaks that mom is without you, after she poured all her love and energy into you since 1989. I'm comforted in all the memories I have but also feel the loss of all the things that were to come, that will now look different without you.

I watch for you in all the places I might find you: a cardinal in the trees, any references to Star Trek or that dancing movie you loved, a dude on a Honda motorcycle, airplanes, men with too much cologne (lol I haven't experienced yet, but your cologne habits make me laugh.) I hope you know how thankful I am to have had you in my life all these years, and I hope to make you proud as time goes on.

Hope you and your brother are staying out of trouble in heaven, but if you're finding it and happy, that's cool too. It makes me happy to know that you are there with him even though we are here without you.

I love you, Michelle

letters

Dear teachers,

I know there is just too much right now. Remote teaching is a lot. We are mourning the loss of children before us and some of us are even teaching to blank screens on zoom. There's grading and lesson planning and report cards and paperwork and it's all online and it is a lot. As an instructional coach, you have my commitment that I'm reconsidering what it means to coach a time like this. I'm here to listen, I'm here with snacks, I'm here to cheer you on or offer a joke if you need it, and I'm here to troubleshoot zoom or plan a lesson or problem solve. Or, we can scream into pillows. Just let me know what support for you looks like at this time and I'll deliver.

Love, your friend

Dear ELA Teams,

Thank you for your thoughtful reflections this week around our norms and the Clear is Kind article. I know it's hard to be super transparent and direct, and I appreciate your openness to the ideas. Like yoga and meditation, I believe vulnerability is a practice, and the more we engage with it, the easier it becomes, so cheers to your open hearts and minds as we co-create teams that keep student learning at the heart of all we do.

Love, Brezek

Dear LO,

Thank you for sharing the closing remarks from Lucy Calkins and the call to action to show up for one another and spread kindness. It's because of you I did so, and it filled my heart with such warmth to pass along something to someone else.

Love, Michelle

Dear Holls, Nicki, and Sierra,

Thanks for a super fun weekend hiking and adventures at Carol's place. And for letting me bring Sunny and loving her just the same as me, and for the birthday celebrations. Let's not wait three years to do that again!

Love, Shel

Dear Sunny,

Thank you for being a good dog and not running away from the horseback riding session when you were following along off leash and I was separated from you. If you had chased a squirrel or bunny away, heartbroken would be not near enough way to describe the loss I would have felt. I'm so happy you're such a good listener!

ily SBS!
Love, Mama

Dear Brené Brown,

Thank you for the way you coach us on leadership through your work studying it, including your most recent podcast. It was such a blessing to hear more about Joe Biden and his personal story, and the ways in which he wants to lead our country with courage and empathy.

Sincerely, your #1 fan, Michelle

Dear Social Justice Book Club,

I will not be ready for How to be an Anti-Racist on Sunday. Where is everyone else at? Can we postpone? It was so much easier in the summer.

Sincerest apologies, Michelle

Dear fellow Americans,

As if you haven't been reminded enough, let's get out to vote. 

Sincerely, a hopeful neighbor

Dear AB & MH,

Thank you for listening and leading with such a loving calmness about you. I appreciate all your attention to detail and the work you do behind the scenes for all of us. Also, thanks for teaching me how to be a better leader in the structures and routines you execute with us at school. Appreciate you so so much.

Love, Brezek

Dear Coffee,

There's a new method on the way. I have learned all about the French Press and can't wait till the one I ordered gets here.

Excited! Michelle

Dear RB,

You were meant to teach Stamped to eighth graders. Your energy, love, and exuberance is contagious and I'm so thankful I've been able to drop in some of your discussions. Fave moments were when Julian put his eye to the camera, like, "Wut?!" or "Yep, I agree." Looking forward to see what the kids create, and happy to be on that journey with you.

Hugs, Brezek

Dear Cousin,

Such a good chat this week catching up with you. I'm so proud of you for prioritizing your happiness and think you are wise beyond your 23 years. Keep it up girl, you're inspiring all those around you!

Love, Michelle

Dear 30's,

We have about one week left together, and to you, I'm thankful for all the ways I've grown. I have learned so much about health, including emotional and mental health as I've negotiated relationships with others. I can say that I did not expect to be on the verge of 40 still single, but unlike a decade ago, I will say that I find value in all the areas of my life that are flourishing. Thank you for molding me into a confident woman after all the insecurities of my late 20's and early 30's.

Love, Michelle

Dear HW,

I can't wait to see you!

xo, your bff

Letters

***** SPOILER ALERT*****

If you haven't finished watching Dexter and are planning to, skip this blog.

Dear NEIU,
I love learning new things, but I hate doing homework. Please go easy on the readings, especially from this book:

Dear Professor Stirling,
You are amaze-balls! I love that you have gotten to know us, are available to help us, and that you love your job. I think you are my new fave teacher!

Dear Other Professor,
I will give you this: You know your content. That being said, you are not one of my fave teachers because you don't give clear expectations. It also seems like you're kinda burned out on teaching this class, so perhaps this should be your last go-around? It doesn't make us feel good when you say things like, "Come'on guys, I don't want to read a philosophy paper that is *that* long." Please note: I'm keeping anecdotal notes for your evaluation....

Dear Fall in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan,
I love you! Your colors are beautiful and I love to hear the crunching of leaves under my feet. I will make it a point to spend time with you each and every year!

Dear Dad and Annie,
Thanks for having me this weekend and I really appreciate the gas money! I had a super fun time, especially meeting Annie's cousin (cousins - is Doug your cousin?) and our long talks about lots of things. I'm glad the stepmonster and I have matching hats, too! Thanks also for all the food and the laundry services!

Dear Dexter,
I hated season 8. The whole thing made me real sad. And then the ending? Perhaps I need to look deeper into it...

Dear Yoga,
I miss you! I haven't been in over a week and I'm not sure I'm going to make it again tonight. I'm hoping tomorrow!

Dear DT,
Thank you for sending my letter of recommendation and filling out those three forms I needed for my application to the Admin Program. You're seriously one of my best mentors ever, and I'm glad that we are still connected after all this time! Next time you need any kind of favor - please dial my number!

Dear Breaking Bad,
The dynamics between Walt and Jesse are awesome. I love your show, and if I weren't procrastinating my homework by writing this blog, I'd probably be procrastinating by watching your show. 

Dear blog,
I love you. And I love finding the pics that go in the blog. Sometimes, I sit here laughing at these pics all by myself, and that's entertainment enough. Glad we found one another!

Dear myself,

Go do your homework!

Letters

Dear Chicago Blackhawks,
You are awesome! So proud to live in this amazing city!

Dear Debra Morgan,
You are the most vulgar character I know, but you're funny as shit. So sad our last season together is upon us.

Dear summer teacher conference,
Why do you have to start so early in the morning? I haven't been awake before 9am in weeks! Naperville by 8am? Sounds fun....

Dear CorePower Yoga,
Dripping sweat or not, I love hot yoga and feel so good after I go. Can't wait to go back for more!

Dear water-damaged iPhone,
You were placed in the sterilizer thing at the nail place and sat on rice for two days. What else did you need to get the text tones working again?

Dear Katie,
Don't forget what your mom taught you about imitation : )