On Wednesday, November 14, 2001, Sonja Johnson-Lewis wrote:

Subject: The November Writing Project
Hi Jeanne. These are my paragraphs per day for the November Writing project.

• November 1, 2001: Letter to my children:

  Chantele and Sylvia, I am writing this letter to tell you both how proud I am of you. I went to the parent conference today. Your teachers gave me wonderful reports on your academic and social skills. Chantele, you are averaging an A+ which puts you on the high honors roll and Sylvia, you are averaging a B+ which puts you on the honor roll. I am proud of you both and I am looking forward to celebrating Friday after school.

  jeanne's comments:

  How nice to include such a note in memories you and your girls will want to preserve. Consider thinking about what each of them likes best about school, and commenting on that, too. This way you make the learning count for itself without over-emphasizing the reward of good grades. Perhaps one of the girls likes art, one athletics. Perhaps one shared something with her friends at school that you know about. Perhaps one overcame a problem, like a math problem that gave her difficulty. Notice that little details like this would evoke specific memories for you and your children.

  Also, did you consider asking your girls to illustrate these letters? Make them into a scrapbook and ask them to illustrate your celebration Friday night. Oh, and remember to tell them that you love them just for them, not for being good students, Mom.

• November 2, 2001: Letter to a friend:

  Tina, how are you? I hope all is going well. Tina, I sure miss us hanging out on the town, partying, and having a good time. I wish we could get together and go out to lunch and talk and exchange secrets like we used to. Since we got married and had our kids our lives have changed and our destinies altered. Tina, when you get this letter check your schedule and see if you can find the time to get away so we can just vent. Like waiting to exhale. God bless. Talk to you soon.

  jeanne's comments:

  Nice note on missing the carefree good old times. I think it might be fun to include a very special memory, like "Remember the time that waiter spilled a whole glass full of ice on your new velvet purse? Do you still have that purse? I always loved that purple. You know, I still have my old leather saddle bag from high school?" And you could draw the old purse you loved for your girsl.

• November 3, 2001: Letter to a friend:

  Hey Stephanie,

  What's up? It's been a while since I've written you. Well, I hear you had a boy. Congratulations! I would like to come and visit you to see your new arrival. Is their anything in particular that you need? If so, let me know, so I can bring it when I come. I know your hands are full with your newborn so write me back at your earliest convience. Bye.

• November 4, 2001: Letter to your mother-in-law

  Hi Mama Richardson,

  How is everything? We are great. I'm writing this letter to let you know that we are coming to visit you during the Thanksgiving vacation. So don't plan anything for the whole week. We are cooking you a gourmet meal that you will never forget. The whole week will be filled with festive activities. I have planned an agenda from the very moment we arrive. I would tell you, but I want it to be a surprise. See you soon. Love ya.

• November 5, 2001: Letter to a friend:

  Hi Tina, I am writing this letter to let you know that I have found this great gymnastics school. It's called the Los Angeles School of Gymnastics. They have the best coaches around, and they are all from Russia, which is supposed to be the best. My children's coach won the bronze medal in the 2001 olympics. Write me back and let me know if you are interested in getting more information about this gymnastic school. Later.

  November 6, 2001: Letter to mother-in-law

  I am writing this letter because I was thinking about how wonderful you have been to me. You took care of my babies when I went back to work from maternity leave. You took better care of them than I did myself. You raised my husband to be the great man that he is. I guess I am writing this letter to say thank you for everything that you have done. I love you. God bless.

  November 6, 2001: Letter to a friend

  Johnnie, I am very upset with you. The way you spoke to me was totally out of line and I will not tolerate it. If you have issues with me please come to me in a sincible manner and talk to me. I would like that. I like you. I thank you are a nice person I don't want to lose you as a friend. Please lets talk! CALMLY! Hope to hear from you soon. Sonja.

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