The continuation of the letter I started yesterday to myself.

Sunday, December 7, 2003~

Dear Karen:

I understand you had to stop writing because you had to go to work yesterday; that is okay. At least you let me know where you were going before I worried myself to death!

You don't know how proud I am of you: besides living with chronic illness and pain and depression, you still try your best to go on with your life, and you have a job that you may not like at times; but you have stuck with this job going on for four years (it will be four years come February 21, 2004), and you have proven to be a very dedicated and hard working employee. I know your one boss really doesn't tell you what a good job you do, not as much as you would probably like, but I am sure he knows just how valuable to the Golden Corral team you are. He sees how hard you work, and you have such a good work ethic; even when the store isn't busy, you still try to look busy, and that is a very admirable quality to have. You have stuck it out, and it is obvious you do a good job; and you also try to have a good attitude at work, even when you are feeling poorly, in relation to your health.

You have seven years' worth of restaurant experience under your belt, and I do wish that your boss would give you a raise; after three and a half years, you have only had one raise since you started, and in my opinion, you are LONG past overdue for another raise! If I were the boss, I'd give you at least a dollar raise; you are worth much more than what you are making now! Just barely above minimum wage; that is not much to live on, especially when you have bills to pay!

I know that Golden Corral isn't like your other restaurant job you had at the Olive Garden back in Ohio (there, you were there 4 years and 2 months, and the only reason you quit was to move to Texas), but be proud of the fact that you ARE working. So many people in today's bad economy are not, especially if they are disabled. But you are proving that you CAN overcome your health concerns, and you have a good attitude (for the MOST part; at times, you CAN spring an attitude, and this is when I would love to kick you right in the ass! LOL). Just continue to stick it out at the Golden Corral, and don't let the Mexicans in the back get to you. I know you are frustrated when they don't speak English, but if it bothers you, just keep your opinions to yourself, and keep your mouth shut! You never know if the boss may be listening; and you DON'T want to risk getting fired on account of your big mouth! (I remember on more than one occasion, when your father back in Ohio would call you "Bugle Mouth" because you would go off at the mouth, and you would get SO mad! At times, you ARE a "Bugle Mouth"; you need to keep your mouth shut at times; there are times when shooting off at the mouth is NOT appropriate, and you have a bad habit of doing that at times!)

I was observing you today at work, and you were really a picture of concentration as you went on with your tasks; and you are a very hard and dedicated worker. You didn't let the background noise distract you, and I also caught you singing to the Christmas music as you worked! You really have a very pretty singing voice, and you should sing more. Your voice is very pleasant to listen to, and it makes the work environment just that more enjoyable! You really were working hard; HOW many pans DID you exactly roll today?? Seems like you rolled a million pans! LOL You sure are fast, and you are very consistant at your work! Keep up the great job, Karen, I am very proud of you!! It's no wonder why they like you at the Golden Corral: you are pleasant, have a very good attitude MOST of the time, and you have a very happy nature as you go about your duties. Even when you don't feel well, you go to work, and you work as best as you can; and when you have to go home early due to not feeling well, you let the bosses know, and you are indeed sorry for being ill. But you still stick it out, and that is a very good habit to have, epecially in the work force.

You also have a very good attitude when you are NOT at work; if not, you let people know, and at times you can get very ugly and temperamental. You have a very bad temper at times, and you are learning to keep it in check, but you still need to work harder at it at times. If Karla does something to bother you or says something mean, don't get mad at her; as I told you yesterday, just walk away, and don't say a word! It is only going to lead to a very big blow up with your sister if you get mad at her, and I KNOW you DON'T want that!! LOL When you get mean, I get sad because it is like you are a totally different person, and it hurts me. It's like you have gone psycho on me, and it scares me because I don't know what you may do when you get nasty or mean. I know you wouldn't intentionally hurt anyone, but you don't know what you are capable of, and I DON'T want you to turn into a criminal for assault or murder, you know?? You are a very good person at heart, and I just can't see you as a very violent or hateful person, and I DON'T want to see that! So just watch your temper and blow it off; and just go on!

Karen, I don't mean to get on you about your attitude or your temper, but at times, you act like a baby, and this is when you need to realize that you are a responsible adult, and you need to mind your p's and q's at all times. You ARE doing MUCH better now than you were, but you STILL have your moments where you act very childlike, and it concerns me.

Well, I will let you go; I shall write more tomorrow. Until later, take care, and thanks for being the special person you are. You are a very good person all around, but there are still some things you need to work on, as I have addressed in this part of the letter. I am sure that if you do, you will become even a better person, and I can handle that! LOL You are a very good person, and do NOT let anyone tell you otherwise!! OKAY??

Now, remember I love you and I am PROUD of you!! REALLY! Just keep on being the sweet, compassionate person you are, and to heck with what others may think! You are MUCH better than that!! I KNOW for a FACT you are!!

(((HUGS))) and much love, Karen Lynn. :D

(~To be continued.~)