[center To 2020: Fuck you. Screw the pandemic you brought in. I lost a month of work because of it, and while I'm happy to be back now, I'm tired of being screamed at for trying to follow our restaurants' policy. It is not my fault that we have a mask mandate. I hate it as much as the next person, but I'm not going to not follow it. I just wish people would wear the mask and either shut up, not go out or take it up with the man who put the mandate in place, to begin with.]
[center To my grandfather. Losing you was the hardest. It's still hard to believe. You were my absolute hero and I [i hate] with a passion how soon you were taken from us, and I tried. I really tried so hard to get there sooner, but you couldn't make it that long. I'm not angry that you couldn't. You knew you wouldn't make it past his birthday, but it's still really hard losing you so soon. Not only were you a hero as a firefighter, but you were also our hero, especially moms. I know she misses you just as much as I do. I'm sorry I didn't stay in Pennsylvania longer, but I promise I took care of grandma to the best of my ability so your daughters could handle the hard stuff. I love you, and I'll see you again someday, I know I will. You rest easy now.]
[center To W: I don't know how you're doing. It's been at least 2 years since we've talked, and to say I'm worried about you is an understatement. I was able to look at old messages now that ES has changed, and it hurt. Mostly because we lost contact again. I hope you're okay and well, and I hope we can speak again soon. I miss you. Wishing you the best.]
[center To C: I'm also worried about you. Facebook was the only way I knew to contact you outside of ES. I had some news to tell you, but it never got to happen, so it wasn't a huge deal anyway...but I still would like to talk to you about it because it may happen in 2022. Hopefully, you're also doing well. No matter what, you are still my friend and I care.]
[center To myself: Stop worrying about the things you can't control. You're doing the best you can and nothing has been easy for anyone since last year. Just keep doing the best you can with what you have and everything will be okay. s Dory says: just keep swimming! Also, happy birthday. Didn't think you'd make it this far, did you? Crazy. If only you could tell sixteen-year-old you. She would be so proud. Keep at it. You've got this.]
[right Renee. 2/6/2021]