From: Catharsis
To: The World

“So Smile”

slowly, sweetly, so tenderly
come into this world, you invite me
let it go, release, it’s okay
saw these chains, mellowly take me away

sweetness, tasteless, it’s so dangerous
senseless, weightless, beauty
is this it? is this really it?
but wait, there is more, a lot more

sing me an art, craft me a song
afraid of freedom, this careless soul
afraid to drown in the beauty within
too much in my hands, afraid to drop everything

(my sweet) shape me a word, a single one,
to shine the courage of a thousand suns,
“we are two rivers, you cannot drown,
two beautiful rivers that will flow as one.

there is nothing to hold, nothing to drop (together),
only to drift in, and never to stop (together),
I am you, and you are me (together),
the word is us, and we fly free (together). “

Written by Catharsis - Inside the Outsider

From: Jenna aka Myna, 21, Lander, WY
To: Adam aka Mina, 21, happens to be in Iraq

Hey My Beautiful

You are the light in my life and my blue tree. I know the remainder of your stay will be hard, but I am here thinking of you and praying you are safe. I love you with all my heart and dream about when you will come home. It’s only one year.

Sleep Safe and know you are loved.

Yours Forever,
Myna

PS Lub lub lub lub chicka mauw

From: JC Mae Palmes, 24, Iloilo City, Philippines
To: Khleomi Helen and Xanth Reign, 2yrs old and 10 months old, Iloilo City, Philippines

My beautiful angels,

The smiles that wake me up, the kisses that rains on my face, the hugs
of delight and those little stares. Those are things that make my day
each day.

Sometimes, I may be too tired to hug you or to kiss both of you,
especially after work. But remember my babies, Mommy loves you so much
and would never do anything to hurt you.

You are my life, my inspiration, I could never imagine life without the
both of you and your tatay too.

I never thought life could be this sweet, I never thought I would be
this lucky. I know that someday, you will grow up and leave. I can not
do anything about that, and I wouldn’t even if I could. I want the both
of you to learn from your mistakes just the way I did with mine because
those mistakes will make you a better person than you were before.

If things get really bad, or if you just need a hug from Mommy, go home
and I will always be glad to shower you with hugs and kisses and lots of
loving care.

If Mommy is no longer here, don’t fret my little angels because Mommy
will always find a way to make you feel my love. I love your Tatay and
the both of you so much that I would do anything, give up everything
just to make you happy.

Remember my babies, my love will always be there. You may not be aware
of that right now because you are both still too young, but someday,
somehow you will see how much your Mommy loves you.

Love Always,

Mommy, JC Mae Palmes

From: Jose Barros, Spain
To: Mon Amante

Mon amante :
Je tu regrette d’avoir à dire que je t’aime…
Tous devrions nous aimer, tous entourés de jour au lendemain de l’amour, de l’amour pur, puisque nous sommes nés pour cela…
Puisque le normal est la haine, et l’indifférence ennuyeuse, je me vois obligé de te dire :
Je t’aime…

From: HS, USA
To: PR, USA

To meet, to know, to love - and then to part,
Is the sad tale of many a heart.
It wasn’t any different for mine.

She fell on me like a wave.
Like a wave, she washed away.
Leaving no sign that she had been there.

I thought when your love for me died, I should die.
Alone, strangely, I live on.

From: Dany Bachir, 29, Lebanon
To: My Family

“You Will Show Me Around“

July 31st in history.

1932: Nazi Party wins 230 seats in Reichstag and begins negotiations for Hitler to be accepted as Chancellor.

1978: Gunman shoots his way into the Iraqi Embassy in Paris.

On that same day: I was born.

Few years ago, on my graduation day, I told my Mother few words that in fact I should be telling her everyday. I was twenty two. I told her that twenty two years earlier she had brought me down from Heaven to Earth and on that day she took me back from Earth to Heaven.

Well. She does it every single day. Just by smiling to me. A Mother who has lived, struggled and lived. Strong with her presence and personality.

Sometimes I wonder how big her heart can be. Too big. I’m sure.

My sister? A true masterpiece. The Pieta by Michelangelo. She has offered me a unique brother in law and two beautiful crazy nephews. But I’m still waiting for my little princess.

Friends come and go. Some have been sticking around for a long time and will keep doing so forever. Some others have passed by like a small breeze keeping behind some memories. Not more.

There are people you will always be happy to have met, and others you could have lived much better if you had not. They don’t just come and go. They come, take a piece of you and go. And it hurts.

Finally, I raise my hand toward a dear friend of mine: Tony Zakhour. You are missed and remembered everyday. I know you are watching over me and I like it.

I had never believed in life after death until you died. I always want to picture you alive up there. And hoping you are enjoying it.

I’ll see you soon in one of those dreams knowing that one day I will be knocking on your door and you will show me around Heaven.

Dany Bachir

From: Mum, 31, Singapore
To: Chloe, 9 months old, Singapore

Chloe,

You are a gift of grace from God
You are the light when all seems dark
You are the life line when all seems hopeless
You are a miracle that I thank God for

When I nurse you close to me
When I held your little hand in mine
When you greet me at the end of the day with untainted delight
I knew I have all I could ever want

For you, I will make every sacrifices required
For you are a miracle created from above
For you are all that I want
I wouldn’t have it any other way

Mum

From: Anja
To: Sean

Happy 5th anniversary!
It’s 5 years now that we are married and I have not regretted one day.
I just wanted to tell you how much I love you and that I miss you terribly.
You are on my mind the whole time.
I would like to be together with you now but you are on another continent trying to set up a life for us.
I hope that we will be together again soon and that we can start a new life there.
I know it’s not easy, but I am sure we can do it.
I want to celebrate many more anniversaries with you.

With lots of love,
Anja

——————————-
This is a picture of the place we got married.
It was a very romantic castle with a teahouse and a pond