Co-worker Etiquette

April 11. 2014 11:13 a.m.

Dear Fellow Co-Worker,

With all due respect, your hawking and spitting in the communal kitchen sink is a little unnerving and distracting to some of us in the office. Please know that the sound alone makes some of us queasy.

Also, your hawking and spitting in the garbage bin is very unsanitary, especially for the people who take out our daily garbage. Have you given any thought that they may mistakenly touch the phlegm you produced and disposed in the trash?

Please go to the bathroom. Another option is to quietly clear your throat and then use a tissue or a napkin to quietly spit out your mucus and dispose in your garbage bin.

Sincerely,

Your fellow co-worker.

*This letter was never sent because it was taken to human resources to see if it was okay to place in the co-worker's mailbox or desk. HR decided to take matters into their own hands.

To you

March 14. 2013 6:06 p.m.

I chose you over my dream career. I chose you over everything.

*Letter never sent.

The beginning of the end...

March 25. 2011 5:51p.m.

Dear Ex-husband,

Besides the everyday reminder of the children we had together I will always remember how I allowed you to walk into my life.

At first my gut told me to leave you alone but my teenage hormones over powered my better judgement. You were polite, well fit and romantic. For my birthday you sent a bouquet of flowers with a single rose in the middle to my job. The ladies were jealous and I loved it. You followed up with my favorite meal, steamed broccoli, baked potato and a steak well done, with a side of A1 Steak Sauce. Over the years you trained my pallet to enjoy my steaks medium rare. Thank you!

The relationship was going well. We dressed in identical outfits, went on our first cruise together (with your mother of course) and we expierenced a number of "first times" together. Thank You.

You were the first boyfriend who didn't run away from me when I started to love you...deeply. To be honest, I was so scared and wanted to run in the other direction. However, you asked me to stay and I did. When you decided to head off to the military you asked me to stay with your mother, who you were concerned about having another heart attack while you were away training to serve our country. I agreed. You're welcome.

We both know your mother didn't like the idea of us being together. "You're taking away my only son, my only biological child," she'd say. Yes, you were, and probably still are a mama's boy. 

Your clingy mother never stopped you from marrying me and starting a family. Despite all of your mother's passive aggressive hurtful ways you and I worked as a team except when it was time for you to defend me when she tried to break my spirit.

Be a Father to Our Children...

*Names have been changed

Sept. 27. 2012. 7:32 a.m.

Dear Arthur,

I am upset with you for not communicating with me about our children, Taymar and Arthur Jr.

I am upset with you for not taking initiative in being a supportive parent.

I am upset that you allow your fiancé to have control of how you and I parent our children and I don't understand how you put your fiancé before your own children. 

I don't understand why you have your fiancé involved with the decisions of Taymar and Arthur. Why do I have to go through your fiancé when it comes to our children?

Well, I tell you what, I am not doing it anymore. Last time I checked, Jasmin wasn't there the day we conceived our children, nor was she there when I gave birth. She wasn't part of our lives when we decided to go our own separate ways. She didn't help us decide on the type of life, family we were going to have once the divorce was final. And when she did become a part of your life she was 100% disrespectful to the mother of your children.  (Since I started this letter the fiancé is now your wife...however, this doesn't entitle her to have a say on how you and I parent our children.) 

Thanks for the Encouragement

Jan. 16. 2013 8:08 am

Diane,

Thank you for writing the story on "Why You Need to Find a Mission." It struck a chord with me...a positive one. It shifted me into gear to find out what my life purpose is. 

I have a strong desire to do a number of things with my life including:

• Be the voice of a morning or evening news program in the top 10 market, either in TV, radio, or the internet or anywhere my voice can be heard. Eight years ago I was on my way on pursuing this goal but I allowed one person to change my mind. I had two anchor and reporting job offers in small towns but my husband wasn't supportive. I am happy to say he is now my ex-husband. Because of your article I intend to find a way to get back on track of pursuing my goal in broadcast journalism.