Dear Difficult Times In My Life,

       Hey there. It has been a while since we've talked. 

       You do remember me, right? You were always there when I felt like the world was crashing down on me and I had no idea how I was going to make it through. Remember the hellish living and work situations, the soul-trampling acquaintances around me, the bleakness that comes with not knowing the direction of my life? Those times when all I could do was cry and wish that the whole world would go away? Remember now?

       Anyway, this letter isn't to say that I am done with you for good. For one thing, I know that you are always on the bench ready to jump back into my life. You are going to be there for the rest of my life, as you are for everyone else in the world. I can say that right now I accept that and will deal with you when you make your presence known again. Also, you will not ever be completely gone because things have happened that I know I will never be able to forget and I will carry them with me where ever I go. As small as I try to make the load that you have left with me, you will still make my heart hurt when I remember you and what we went through together.

       So no, this isn't a good-bye letter, this is actually a thank you note. 

       No, seriously... thank you.

        I really want to let you know what you have done for me. Bottom line, I wouldn't be the jenna k that I am today without you. Because of you, some of the important thing I  know are...

• I am a strong, independent woman. 
• I can survive a huge assortment of living situations. 
• that just because I failed at one thing it does not make me a failure. 
• there are some things that I am bad at, but I have also learned things that I rock at. 
• it is OK if not everyone likes me and that I don't need to change who I am to try to please them. 
• that the people who don't leave when you are around me are the most wonderful people in the world.

        And the latest thing that I continue to learn and accept day-by-day is that you are really pretty insignificant in comparison with my buddies Happy Times In My Life and Peaceful Times In My Life. I have focused on you for so long that I have sometimes forgotten about these friends, which is outrageous since there are twice as many of them as you. You may always be in the background ready to jump up front, but I am really trying to focus on Happy and Peaceful and make up for all the times I've neglected them.

       So as well as a thank you note, this is also a warning. The next time you crawl back into my life at full-force, I am going to have my posse of Happy and Peaceful right by my side. We may not defeat you for good, but we will not let you boss us around. And once you go back to your corner, we will realize how you have made a difference in my life and we will reflect on what lessons you have taught me.

So, until we meet again,

jenna k