"Dear Johnny (Yes, I call our State Senator by his first name... He told me I can call him whatever I want, and to me- hes just Johnny),
Considering the reason we met was because of Osama Bin Laden and his attacks on the United States- he was the reason I wanted to help and raised what I could as a 12 year old in 8th grader- I felt it fitting and proper that I say thank you.
Not only do I want to say thank you to you for all your hard work- and for helping the 12 year old version of me to get the money I raised to where it could help and instilling the idea in my mind that if I tried hard enough and pushed as much as possible, I can do anything; but because you have the direct line of communication to everyone in Washington as well as- I want you to pass my thank you and gratitude along.
In the past 10 years- I have gone to high school, graduated from college, moved to New York City for 6 months and now moved back to Georgia. I have held 2 corporate jobs and continue to strive for more. In the past 10 years, I have received my drivers license, turned 18 and gained the ability to vote in the 2008 presidential elections. I turned 21 and gained the ability to drink legally. I have worked for and raised money for camp Kesem (a camp for kids who parents have had or have cancer), and I have continued to try and make this world a better place. In the past 10 years, I have broken 4 bones, gotten my tonsils and wisdom teeth removed, my dad had cancer, my brother graduated from elementary school, middle school, high school and now onto college, and my mom has never given up on trying to make a better life and never has once stopped working. My brother has now survived 2 natural disasters: the floods in Georgia and the recent tornadoes in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. My grandfather passed away and there have been 8 additions to our extended family. In the past almost 10 years, my life has taken shape. In the almost past 10 years, I went from a 12 year old 8th grader, to a now 22 year old (almost 23 in June) semi-adult, still searching for a purpose and a right way.
Today, I now know that I can still search for that purpose, with public enemy #1 gone- a little bit of me knows I can keep going, if the United States as a whole can see a little shining light of victory, so can I. Even though I will never know a world without security at the airport or medal detectors, I do know a world where there are always people striving for a better place.
In the past almost 10 years (9 years, 7 months to be exact), my life has changed and progressed- but none of this would have been possible without you. And now, today, the man hunt is over. The number one public enemy has been taken out- one step closer to justice and maybe finally putting some issues to rest.
No one knows what will happen in the future- but for today, I wanted to say an extra special thank you- for everything that you do. And if you can pass on my thanks to the president and everyone else who works hard to protect our country, that would be be great. Just like when I was 12 years old, I know that the way to get my message heard is to start with the people who believe in me. And Johnny, since I was 12 years old, I have taken you as someone who believed in me and made some of my aspirations possible. So thank you.
As always, I will continue to do what I can to make this world a better place and do my part, because as today has shown me, you guys are still doing your part.
Thank you always, and God Bless America.
-Brandi"
Lesson Learned:
Can't forget that if I push hard enough- things will get done.
Peace, love and 9 years, 7 months- justice,
B
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