POETRY | GRATITUDE | MOTIVATION

Remembering Times of Kindness

Free verse

All the people who helped my parents financially during their tough times. My grandfather/s, who silently infused discipline in me with their respectful conduct. My grandmother taught me to be patient and strong during small illnesses, and not to keep shrieking now and then. My parents for everything that I am today. My siblings always covered for me when I didn’t want to talk to guests at home or wanted to avoid chaotic people. An aunt who always escorted me to school because I feared dogs and bullies on the streets. A neighbor who taunted me, but also taught me how to draw a diagram for schoolwork. An uncle who got me a library card and nurtured my habit of reading. A cousin who gave me his book, the first novel I ever read. All my relatives who helped me in many meaningful ways. My ex-colleagues/a boss who showed kindness at the start of my career and trained me well. My not-so-good ex-colleagues also helped me. My mentor quietly instilled hope in me even in the darkest of times.

There are many instances like these which I may have overlooked OR would have been silently grateful for OR would have expressed gratitude openly sometimes, but these also define me, my existence, and my conduct.

Copyright © 2023 — A.H. Mehr

Hello Dondi,

I hope this message finds you well.

I wanted to take a moment to talk about your role with Soul Magazine. First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude for the time and effort you’ve invested in our project. Your contributions have been valuable, and your presence in the team has been appreciated.

That said, I’ve noticed that your engagement with the magazine has diminished recently, and I sense that perhaps this project might not align perfectly with your current interests or career path. It’s essential for us at Soul Magazine to have a team that is fully connected and passionate about the work we do, as it reflects in the content we produce and the message we convey to our readers.

Therefore, after careful consideration, I believe it might be beneficial for both of us to part ways professionally. This decision is not a reflection of your capabilities or value as a professional but rather a recognition of the need for alignment in passion and dedication within our team.

I want to assure you that this decision is made with the utmost respect for you and your career. I believe in your talents and am confident that you will find a project that aligns more closely with your current interests and career goals.

Please know that our paths parting at this juncture is in no way a door closed forever. I hold immense respect for you and your work, and I am open to future collaborations should our paths cross again under different circumstances.

Thank you once again for your time with us, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. If there’s any assistance or support I can provide during this transition, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Warm regards, Katherine