Dear Uterus,

I was shocked when the doctor informed me we would have to part ways. I mean, sure, you had been giving me more problems than usual, but I thought you had hooked up with Mr. Thyroid and y’all were just causing mischief. I never dreamed you were growing something in there!

You sure were busy too! From one appointment to the next, you had cultivated your seed to the size of a sixteen-week-old fetus! You know, if you were that desperate to grow something again, you should have talked to me. We might have come to some accommodation. As it were, you left me no choice but to remove you.

You knew I was scared of being put to sleep for surgery, because I’d mentioned it more than once, but it didn’t stop you. Turns out, I was right to be concerned. The surgery nurse told me afterward I scared them all when the medicine they give to calm people down knocked me out.

I had warned them about my medication sensitivity, but nobody believed me. The anesthesiologist thought she knew best, but in the end had to rework her doses before they could proceed. Turns out I didn’t need much more than the, “calm you down,” medicine for the whole procedure. I know you were hoping it would stop the surgery, but no such luck. Ha! Foiled again!

I’m glad they didn’t give me much more medicine. I was loopy and cross-eyed for hours after surgery as it was. The doctor was happy though. He said everything else in there looked clean as a whistle. Seems you were the only one rebelling. Well, you and Mr. Thyroid, but I’m too tired to talk about him right now. Get it? I’m too tired to talk about my thyroid problems. Never mind, you never did have a sense of humor.

In the end, I haven’t missed you at all. I know you were a giving soul, sending me a present each month. Nevertheless, I’m not a greedy person, so I’ve been fine without them.

Sincerely,
Yours no longer

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Angel Sharum shares her opinions through non-fiction articles, and her imagination through short stories and poetry. Making a connection, causing people to think and stirring their emotions, is what Angel strives for with every reader. http://www.angelsharum.webnode.com

Dear Body,

I know I wasn’t very good to you. I would stretch my limits to the point where they were almost ignored. Lifting those washers, dryers, and refrigerators on Monday mornings at that retail store I used to work for probably didn’t help you out too much. Forgive me. I was young and foolish, but what choice did we really have at that time?

I needed to pay off college and send you to the doctor, and the only way to do that was to get paid from the only employer willing to hire a snotty-nosed college grad at the time. We could have tried to smile pretty at the nice doctors, but I don’t think that would have gotten us through the waiting room door.

You, of course, have never been the patient type, but did you have to trash my knees? I know that I wasn’t listening too well, but I kind of need those to walk with. And since we are on the subject, what’s up with curling my fingers to the point where I can’t open jars or write? How about my head? Does it have to be so cluttered all the time? And why do I have to be tired all the time too?

Do you really need that much of a vacation from the stresses of day-to-day life? Or are you going to tell me how much you hate fast food again? Listen, I know that stuff isn’t the greatest, but sometimes it’s all I can afford for you. I can’t wine and dine you on 90% lean organic meat all the time, and let’s not even go into how much organic chicken is going for these days.

How about I make a promise to you that we can both keep? What if I try to think of you a little more often and feed you what you want and need. I’ll try very hard not to neglect the fact that you need a break from work now and then. Heck, I’ll even try to give you some exercise and hydrate you with water instead of caffeine too.

I’m willing to try; you know I am. I’m not just saying it this time; I really mean it. Please don’t keep shutting me out. I know I can do better for you.

Love,
Kimberley

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Kimberley Linstruth-Beckom started writing for extra credit in the fourth grade. She was bad in math and tried to compensate that fact with poetry and short story writing. Kimberley has had various poems and articles published on the internet, as well as, five books and several blogs. She resides in Connecticut with her husband, two daughters, two cats, two frogs, and several tropical fish and plants.

You’re gettin’ better, girl! The latest rejection hurt, but you shed not a tear. I’m proud of you!

I know it’s not easy writing a story, putting everything you have into it, only to have it rejected. It knocks your confidence level for a loop and bruises your ego, making you wonder if you’ll ever be good enough.

I’m here to tell you, you are good enough! Keep writing stories, share your imagination with the world, and one day, you’ll see your name on the cover of a book.

Hold on to the positives. You know people like reading your stories, because they’ve told you so. Stockpile all the times people say they can’t wait to read more of a story, or compliment you on a specific line of dialog, and draw from it to ease the pain of rejection.

Believe in yourself! Put that stubborn streak to good use and never give up on your dream!

Writing isn’t for sissies, that’s for sure. It takes thick skin, and the ability to lock your emotions behind a wall of indifference, attempting to convince yourself they aren’t rejecting you personally, that your work just wasn’t an exact fit.

I know all this is easier said than done, but I think you’re getting the hang of it. You’re looking for ways to improve, asking opinions to advance your skills, and rolling with the punches. Bet you never thought being a writer required learning to duck and swerve, huh?

I just wanted to let you to know I’m behind you. I’m that little voice in the back of your mind, whispering, “You can do it.” I will never leave. It’s up to you to keep listening!

Love,
Me

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Author’s Bio: Angel Sharum shares her opinions through non-fiction articles, and her imagination through short stories and poetry. Making a connection, causing people to think and stirring their emotions, is what Angel strives for with every reader.

You can visit Angel at her author’s site: http://angelsharum.webnode.com/