“Mom and Dad, you drive me crazy, but I love you
First place, $50
Susan Ear, Downtown Business Magnet
Due to our imperfect world, we ourselves are imperfect and we live imperfect lives. It would seem that living a life with two loving parents, a nice house, and a dog to go with it would be the perfect life. But most of us take it for granted. Some of us live a life without parents or just a single parent. So as I realize that I was blessed with the gift of life and the opportunity to share it with two wonderful parents, I would like to thank god/Buddha (whomever controls our existence).
(To the greatest woman who ever walked this earth…) Dear Mom,
For all those drone lectures you gave me, for the annoying check-up calls, for all those nasty herbal medicines you forced me to drink that never worked, I would like to say thank you. Thanks also for being the annoying mom that you really are. Of course I would also like to thank you for all the lessons I learned from your boring lectures, and for always calling every five minutes because I realize that it’s because you care, and for all those times your stood by my bed when I was sick. I must admit that I wanted to stick duct tape over your mouth because you talk too much, but it’s now that I finally realize that being able to put up with your annoyances is a gift that not many are able to share. I would like to say to all those who live a life with just mom or just dad or a guardian, that I’m sorry. As my mother has taught me, life is full of triumphs the key is to never give up.
To my mommy who endured the Khmer rouge Holocaust, to a woman who had three miscarriages, to a woman who gave birth to three annoying brats, and to the most persistent woman who had to put up with a stubborn and impatient husband, I want to say I love you. But just saying I love you can never equate everything you have done for me, nor showing my appreciation or gratitude. But that’s a start. Hopefully, if I become successful and rich, I’ll do all I can to fulfill your dreams, which is to start a chain of ABC Chinese fast foods and to give those who are needy.
(To the most stubborn yet hardworking man who ever walked this earth…) Dear Dad,
For all those times you made our family shed tears that could fill a swimming pool, for all the discouragement and verbal abuse you put me through, and for the millions of times that you reminded me that you worked seven days a week, I would like to say, “Go eat sā-!”
But through all the pain I became a stronger person. You gave me life, a shelter, and at rare moments, even love. Just ease up on us. You have a loving, devoted wife, an 18-year-old straight-A student, a 16-year-old daughter and me š a 15-year-old hard-headed daughter. So in conclusion, I know that you are good, honest, hardworking man and I just wanted to say I love you and care about you very much although I don’t show it, but neither do you! So Ha! We’re even. But honestly, I want to apologize for all the pain you received from me.
Please hear me, see me
Second place $30
Nancy Leptuch, Valley Alternative Magnet
I pull at the threads, my hands shaking, my heart cold. It seems that every stitch, once unraveled, replace itself; like a person trying to remember painful, painful memories and falling weakly to the ground, the waves of defeat drown the yearning. I get no where. I scream and cry to you, uncover your eyes, see what has become of me. Look through my eyes.
I lay on the floor of my room, the lights out, the music loud. Around and around and around. I try to follow the glowing star on my ceiling fan. It is useless as trying to figure out parents. The music soothes me and my mind drifts. The door opens… “Do you have any idea how loud that is?,’ you, mom, ask of my stereo. Sorry Bono, my radio goes off, along with my serenity. I hate it when you do that.
You seem to think the radio and phone rule my life, that I have no priorities. This is my way to get away, to be calm and not stressed out. You also seem to forget my 3.6 GPA, athletic devotion and my being a teenager. At sixteen isn’t there anything I can do right? Sometimes I get that line about how I’m so wrong in the things I do. The tears begin to flow freely as I quietly remind you of how I could be out sleeping around, doing drugs, or dropping out of school. Never take me serious, I’m just a joke, right? Sometimes I want to try things just to prove you wrong. But why should I lower myself?
Dad, when I talk to you, do you hear me? Maybe after my third time repeating myself, you manage to nod. Maybe you’ll ask if anything’s wrong, my answer; no I’m just tired. Do you really believe that? Do you ever want to cry with me? Look at our relationship and explain it to me, we barely know each other.
If only you could look through my eyes and feel the pain. Take my loneliness, wipe my tears. Am I still your sweet child? Innocent bright eyed, and always smiling. Is it that what you see? It’s there underneath, if only you’d let me be myself. Give me my once loved life and not these burning feelings of helplessness. Please hear me, see me, help me.
Mom, please stop drinking and smoking
Third place $20
Name withheld, Verdugo Hills High School
Dear Mom,
I woke up to the sound of you throwing up this morning. Actually, I wake up to that sound every morning. It makes me wonder how much longer you have to live.
You smoke about two packs of cigarettes every day. You won’t even go to the movie theater with me because you can’t go two hours without smoking. I’m afraid for you and those around you who love you.
Why do you drink a twelve-pack of beer every day if you’re just going to throw it up in the morning? Did it ever occur to you that drinking that much might not be completely healthy? I’m afraid one of these days you are going to start throwing up blood.
If I mention either of these things to you then you get upset and I start to feel awful. Please get help. You are only 40 years old and I’m afraid that at this rate you won’t live to be 45. I want you to be in the front row at my wedding. I want my children to be able to know their grandmother.
Maybe my reasons for wanting you to stick around a while are selfish, but if you don’t care someone has to. Should the reason why it matters really be an issue?
Honorable mentions
Danny Mendoza, Chatsworth HS
Anonymous, John Glenn HS”