(a found poem, with minor edits)
Out of all the people
I could think to be my dad,
you fall into that category easily.
Thank you for making me
grilled cheese sandwiches
so I don’t die.
All around people love you
(the person in front of you,
your lodge buddies, your
workspace friends, etc.);
you know I don’t have
to explain that one.
You’re like a gallon of
chocolate milk–you’re sweet,
and love to have a breakfast.
Your skill with music
never decreases.
Thank you for helping me
through the tough parts
of growing up. In the scary
room you will find a special
treat. When we have
each other we have
everything. You are simply
amazing and life would
be different in a bad way
without you. When I am
playing upstairs when
the dirty girls are over,
I think, wow, their music
is coming along and it’s
enjoyable. You have always
been a kind and loving person
in my life. We are so lucky
to have the house we live in
and the Tanas and Rubies
we have, the bread that goes
on the table because you worked
hard and got what we need
to survive in this cruel world.
But all this just makes the world
less cruel. I loved you yesterday,
I love you still, I always have,
I always will.
Don’t facebook this shit xoxo.
michael jarmer 
I love this so very very much. Thank you for sharing. It’s touching and hilarious and deep and heartbreaking and uplifting all at once…just like parenting…💖🌈🙏🏼✨🌎🦄🌿
Thank you, Lorien!
Is it ridiculous to ask if you remember the paper I wrote for the final exhibition project of my junior year? My feelings will not be hurt if for whatever reason it slipped your mind since it’s been about 20 since I was your student. For that assignment I wrote what was basically a letter to my parents similar in nature to this note from your son. I hope you are able to remember what I wrote and that you kept a copy for yourself. I also hope you remember that you said to me that you hoped if you became a parent one day tar your child could say the things I said in my paper.
My expectations are in check and my feelings will not be hurt if you don’t have a clue what the hell I’m even talking about. On the small chance you do then you’ll know why this note made me smile.
-Allison
I am writing this on my phone. I hope this isn’t a graded assignment. Haha.
I’m sorry to say, Allison, that I don’t remember this specific piece. But I am so impressed that you do. It gives me great joy to know that something you did in my class is memorable to you! I hope you are well and happy.