I was at work on Friday, and I found out that a friend of mine had passed away. It was strange, b/c I'd just talked to him on Tuesday and he seemed fine.
You see, this young man was a member of the US Military, a veteran of the Iraq war.
He'd had some troubles as of late, but he was always an upbeat guy; always smiling or telling a joke.
Tuesday night, he took his life; and his friends are left asking "Why..." as always happens in these cases.
I wasn't especially close to him; but I know he considered me a friend.
He took some time once to talk with me about my view of myself -or I guess in this case, my lack of awareness-. I don't think I'm especially pretty, and I have a hard time believing it when ppl tell me I am.
Rex sat me down and told me that I wasn't model pretty, the whole 6 foot tall; amazonian beauty..but I was girl-next-door pretty. See, most guys will go for the model pretty girls for a one night stand, or an occasional relationship...but they look for the girl-next-door girls as ones they're happy to come home to each night.

I'm not quoting him, and I'm by no means saying that the model girls are not pretty. Lord knows they're gorgeous...

Rex was just trying to explain to me why guys find me attractive, and I actually listened for once. Now, I'm more apt to notice when ppl think I look pretty, and I'll actually admit I'm pretty every now and then...

Guess it took hearing it tons of times, and a military guy, to start making me realize it.

Anyway.... Rex, this is a crappy birthday present, but I love ya anyway...and my mom's gonna keep you in line, buddy...

I'll keep an eye on your military friends, as much as I can, and I'll give them hugs when they need them.

Chuck and Borders miss you like crazy, and I'm sure they aren't the only ones...

.... Rex, with a banana sticker on his forehead... [link]

sorry for my rambling...been a bit depressed all day, and just had to write to a friend....

~ Kayala (aka Montana)

-See ya later, Rex!
Remember what the banana sticker said, damnit!