july 1st 85 My love, I'm suffering from growing pains again. I think I have sprouted up these past couple of years more than I have in the past ten years. And it makes me feel like an adolescent, awkward and uncomfortable. Self conscious and insecure at times. When my life started unrolling I used to say I felt like a 15 year old. I did not know then, how right I was. I am so very alone. I have been tested to the limit all at once; and I am happy because I survive well, and I make it no matter what. Its like, 'Let's see how many things I can screw up, how many time before I learn my lessons. And I do learn, painfully. And I like it. But the bottom line is that while its so easy to love the strong beautiful person inside of me; it takes real love and guts to accept the other me. I can do it where other people are concerned, I love you; all of you, totally; I love Aaron in a similar manner. But me; I want me perfect! Well! Think girl, grow up! Love makes me vulnerable and open to the core, and I just didn't want it to be this way with you and I'm mad at myself for having let all that insecurity surface, and worst of all to have let you in on it. The hardest thing for me to do tomorrow will be to face you again knowing that you will not look at me in the same way; that now you are going to be careful of what you say; I don't want that to happen. What a fool I am. Let me write it again so it sinks in. I AM A FOOL. And its OK, once in a while, isn't it? I always say you need to be humbled; I think I need it much more than you do. I hope you still have respect for me, I couldn't, wouldn't want to see you if you didn't. I want you very much. I love you very much. Lise
— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —