Even now, I have tears when I think back on the day you were born, Alex.  Good tears though.  Always good.  You brought me a sense of focus to my life.  Being with your dad was always like a dream that I never wanted to wake up to.  You were always the reality waiting for me though when I woke up, needing me and loving me.  We've had so many challenges through your years.  Some were fun, some weren't.  That's how life is though.  Some lessons we learn the easy way, some the hard.  Oh Alex, you taught me so many things about not only you, but of myself.  You really filled my heart with so many feelings that only a mother can feel.  I never thought I'd be such a protective mother, but when you came, look out!  "You did *what* to Alex??  Oh no you didn't!"  -sigh-  Every mother out there has something similiar to that. 

I tried to never get caught up in the preciousness of you.  I was your mother.  I had to try to guide you and if I got caught up into thinking you were the greatest thing in the world, I might not be able to steer you right if you started to get an ego.  Your grandparents gladly took over that role instead. I would always grin though, hearing both of them talk about how wonderful you are, how beautiful you are, and always how kind and endearing you are.  Always agreeing and so glad that others could see you like I did.

Of course, those worries were all for nothing really.   I don't think you're perfect, but I think you're the best Alexandra Marie Daugherty that you can be.   And every good, bad, silly and sad thing you might do, we're here.  Your dad and I often talk about things that you did as a baby and toddler.  We so loved when you started to learn the alphabet and called the letter "W"  the "you-you" or when you called the number 15, "five-teen".    When we asked you once why a picture you had drawn was frowning, you just matter of factly said, "kick in the butt" and went on drawing.  There was that pause when your dad and I looked at eachother then we burst out laughing!  I'm grinning so wide even now, recalling those days.  So many memories to smile at.  I love them all.

So Alex, my dearest Alexandra, I write this letter to thank you.  Thank you for being the rock in my life.  The part of the foundation with your dad and brother.  I learned that sometimes a mother's love doesn't fix everything, but also, a mother's love doesn't ever give up trying.

My heart will always be yours, Alex.

Thank you,

Mom

I know you're considered a computer genius.  I appreciate all of your contributions to geekdom. Without you, there'd probably be no World of Warcraft, Pogo or <gasp> City of Heroes.  Now, with that said, I must emplore you to stop the madness!  I love that you tried to compete with the dancers.  I find that kinda ballsy actually.  Especially practicing with dark shoes and socks.  Only a man's man can pull that off.  But Steve, I beg of you, please wake up a bit and realize that the show is called "Dancing with the Stars", not "The Gong Show" or even "That's Entertainment".  There are some people who physically and mentally can really compete on this show.  Your thing with "I just want to entertain" really scares me.  I fear one day you'll become an entertainment junkie and will end up on some street corner in San Franscisco playing with puppets or something scary. 

I know your 55,000 "friends" out there are jamming the phone lines in hopes that the geeks shall overcome.  But I'm scared Steve.  Hold me.  Better yet, stop the dancing!  Somehow I feel that in a parellel universe small fairies are losing their wings because you're dancing is somehow shaking up the universe. 

But seriously, aren't you the least embarassed that now two of your competitors have gone by the wayside because you somehow managed to get the viewers votes?  I would be.  You are pretty socially awkward so maybe you don't really grasp the reality of being selfless.  Having a billion dollars doesn't mean you magically can dance.  You could buy a billion dancers to dance for you!  <sigh>

Anyway, my dear Steve Wozniak, I emplore to you just one more time to just put the shoes away. Nurse that knee, thigh and whatever else is falling apart.  Take a vacation in  Hawaii, drink a fruity drink with a hula girl and watch the flickering flames dance and enjoy life.  Please, for everyone's sake.

Sincerely,

Anti-Steve-Dancing-Fan