To the Crimson Tigers of Fairlfield Ludlowe High School

Dear Tigers,

Hi. I’m Sierra. Most of you probably have no idea who I am, some of you know me as some random chick from Georgia, but that’s not important. I’m going to start off with I’m not very good at speeches or motivation or anything like that, but I am good at speaking my mind. And this is what I think.

    You’ve all experienced a terrible loss, and I am deeply sorry for that. However, are you or are you not the Crimson Tigers? You’ve defeated many an opponent before, and the last time I checked, Tigers don’t back down when life throws something at them. They lunge and attack! What doesn’t kill you make you stronger, and State Championships are days away. It’s easier said than done, I know, but you’ve got to pick yourselves up from this tragedy and hold your heads high. You are strong. You are mighty. You are fierce. You are Tigers.

       A coach does not make a team. It helps, but you have outstanding captains who are captains for a reason. Unity, determination, and hard work make a team. Overcome your doubts, hurt, and confusion with the will to come out fighting, and end on top. You’ve come this far, don’t give into defeat now. “Men's best successes come after their disappointments.”

    There will be time for grieving later. Now is the time to make your coach and, more importantly, yourselves proud. You’re still the Crimson Tigers. You’re all talented, capable, and fearsome. Not to mention your socks are fabulous. This is not the time to let emotions throw you off your game. If anything, let them fuel your determination and focus even more. I have full faith in you, and you should all have faith in each other, coach or no coach. Y’all got this (Pardon my southern tongue).

“You have all the weapons you need. Now fight!”

Sammy

Ok, this is going to be a very brief post, but I felt like this was a story worth telling. Recently I've been dealing with a lot of harrassment, and I was starting to feel pretty down about it, but then I remembered this story my dad told me about his friend's little girl, Sammy.

Jaime, my dad's friend, was chaperoning a field trip for Sammy's school. If I remember correctly, Sammy is in fourth or fifth grade, and her courage is inspiring to me. The class bully was picking on another kid. This bully was not unlike any other bully. Bigger, bulkier and more intimidating than the other kids. After hearing him make fun of one of her peers, Sammy walked right up to that bully. She got two inches from his face and said "What did you say?" the bully's response? "N- nothing, Sammy." She smiled and said "That's what I thought."

Sammy. When I grow up I want to be just like you.

A Message to the Body

           Left ear. I’m talking to you right now. You have absolutely no reason to be having such a hissy fit right now. Both you and right ear got total spot light when I was little. I can understand then, you were both young and still trying to figure out your jobs. Now you’re just being an attention whore. You’re here to help me hear stuff, not make my head feel cloudy. Now cut it out, or I’ll put more holes in you.
            As for you, sore throat, I understand you have a tendency to come back once a year, but seriously!? Did you have to bring all your friends too? I don’t have time for this! I’ve got stuff to do. I do not have time to tend to your needs, as well as the swamp you have puddling in the back of my throat. It’s gross! This is seriously the most inconsiderate thing you could do. I tried giving you water and tea with honey. I even gargled salt water for you. SALT. WATER. Do you know how unpleasant that is!? But no. You still sit here making me uncomfortable. Thanks a heap, buddy. I’m glad our relationship is going so well.
            Now, sinuses, you really haven’t been that bad. You let up when I take medicine and such, but honestly? What made you think acting up when my left ear and throat decided to launch an assault on me? Or is my body just out to get me in general? Because I have a bone to pick with the uterus too, however I’ll leave that rant to Allie ANYWAY. Seriously, stop that. I like being able to smell and taste things, and you are robbing me of that pleasure.

            Eyes. What is YOUR deal? I’ve been sleeping a LOT lately and you’re STILL not satisfied! Are the lids just having a love affair and can’t stand to be apart even though they’re together 16 times per minute? Really? That’s REALLY not enough? Ok, guys. I see how it is. You’re both clingy, needy bitches that need to be together forever and always. If you didn’t have nerve endings, bad things would happen to you.
            And finally, skin. Just what, what, WHAT. On Earth are you even DOING!? I thought we were friends! We were good until the summer hit! What happened to the liking each other!? When did you decide to just be super sensitive to everything? I can’t even let my own HAIR touch you without you being irritated! Seriously, dude, what’s with all the attitude? I thought you liked the wild mane! You’re just not helping my situation at all.
            Overall, guys, every last one of you are being a great big buttinsk. Some more than others, but there’s seriously some major diva-ness happening here. Is it because I’m not eating as many vegetables as I used to? This is not a democracy. You’re all parts of MY body and you will function the way I want you to function. You all need to just sit down and calm yourselves. I do not have time for each and every one of you to have a huge melt down every time I don’t do something your way. I got us all this far, how about you let me continue without a fight every few weeks, ok? Ok, cool.

Sincerely and extremely not amused,
Sierra