Okay, I said that I wasn’t going to make anymore posts until after the New Year. Yeah, so I lied.
I’ve been cleaning out my email inbox these past few days. A rather daunting task when you lack any semblance of organizational skills such as I do, and have allowed message after message to accumulate over the span of several years. Facebook notifications, work emails, family emails, junk emails, political forwards, party invites, fundraiser reminders, and wow. I really, really need to develop a better system for handling my email.
I’ll tell you this though – and this is probably going to sound like bragging – but I am so freaking, unbelievably awesome! Let me make it sound a little less like bragging by following it up with this. You are so freaking, unbelievably awesome as well! You probably don’t even know it, or you may think that you’re only a 3/10 or a 5/10 on the freaking, unbelievably awesome scale at best. Not so. You are a 10 or at least a 9.5. I don’t even need to have ever met you to form this assessment. This is how I know.
Let’s say that you were a little lazy and scatter brained such as myself, and you let your email inbox fill up over the course of five or six years, and then say, one night when you had a break, you began the painstaking, mind-numbingly, boring task of sorting through your emails one by one. This is what you would discover:
You are somebody’s friend, somebody’s significant other, somebody’s co-worker, somebody’s boss. You are somebody’s mother, somebody’s father, somebody’s uncle, somebody’s aunt, somebody’s nephew, somebody’s niece, somebody’s cousin. You are somebody’s son, somebody’s daughter, somebody’s brother, somebody’s sister. You are somebody’s mentor, somebody’s inspiration, somebody’s source of laughter, somebody’s shoulder to cry on, you are somebody’s hero. You are somebody to a lot of people. It may not feel like it sometimes, but truly, you’d be surprised at just how much you mean to so many people, and how much our lives intertwine with one another.
I mentioned in a recent letter that I wrote to my father in prison that “I’m just tiny, old me.” I believe that sentiment to be true. It’s good to remain humble and to realize there are over 7 billion other souls on this planet that are somebodies, too. But don’t ever underestimate just how much you mean to all of the somebodies that are in your life past or present.
Maybe it’s the holidays, maybe it’s recently celebrating my 35th birthday, or maybe it’s the excitement that comes from beginning a new year, but I’m feeling rather sentimental. I thought it would be cool to share a few excerpts from emails that I turned up over the past few days. I had sorta forgotten about a lot of these exchanges to be honest, so it was pretty special to revisit these conversations.
I’m keeping the names anonymous, otherwise I may have a few less somebodies in my life that might not be too thrilled if I made our exchanges public on a blog. I just felt it important to share some of their words as a reminder to myself, and maybe as a revelation to you that we have so much impact over one another’s lives. All the times we’ve sent a compliment, shared a joke, sent encouraging words, offered condolences, carried on respectful debates, shared pieces of knowledge. All of those things add up over time. I’m sharing a few excerpts from my inbox, but it’s your inbox, too, in a way. We’re all in this thing together, and boy are we ever freaking, unbelievably awesome! Surely a 10/10.
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“I read your blog once in a while for a nice laugh. Or when I’m feeling selfish or sorry for myself. You’re a breathe of fresh air! You see beauty in the most simple things, and I love reading your updates. They help me see things differently and grow in new ways.”
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“I’m having a pretty bad morning. I had a really rough night last night and I was hoping I’d feel better in the morning, but that didn’t happen. I don’t even know why I’m telling you. I guess I just needed to tell someone.
I just feel like an idiot sometimes.”
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“So, um, yeah! Just a random person that you’ve seen a handful of times writing to say that she thinks you’re wicked talented. And you seem like a pretty good guy, too. I know I don’t know you very well and I know this might sound weird, but don’t change too much, ok? It’s nice to know there are people like you out there.”
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“I’m thankful for you, Chris. You’re a remarkable person. And a very dear and good soul. You make my heart smile. And i’ve missed you. I just had to tell you that.
I also have to tell you that the word blog sounds as if someone is trying to throw up.”
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“YOU ARE SUCH A LITTLE SHINING STAR. i WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST IN LIFE.”
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“LOL. please promise me you will never change. The world needs more pants poopers. Well no it doesn’t but it needs more people with so little inhibition that they will confidently say they have pooped in their pants and be so charming about it they can make friends. :) You are my hero Chris Hinton.”
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“Hi Chris: Hope you had a nice restful Thanksgiving break. I want to thank you again for including Will. It was a highlight of his holiday and he loved being able to tell his friends about his experience on the set of Love And Other Drugs. You all provided him with a great opportunity and as a parent, I truly appreciate it. If we can reciprocate with a home-cooked meal some evening when you are free, we would like to do that. Do you have a break coming up this month? Thanks again.”
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“Chris, everytime I see you, you make me laugh and I’m able to forget about anything on my mind. You are a unique creature with unmatched charisma. Happy to know you. I will miss you. Pittsburgh is lucky to have you. Best always.
Ps I’m not trying to get in your pants..”
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“You are amazing and I feel blessed to call you a friend. Do you know how amazing you are?”
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“C Snatch you are such a solid writer witty ,original and heartfelt! So happy to have found your blog.”
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“Dear Chris
I like you.
Do you like me?
Pick one: Yes No”
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“Dude you got sexy legs!!”
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“LMAO…So having a not so great day I randomly check out your FB page and can’t stop laughing at comments / posts, etc. Just wanted to thank you 4 the smile! Hope you are having a great day.”
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“I hope you are having an amazing time in Italy. I just finished reading your blog – and man, you provide some awesome inspiration. It is weird how you can go on living your life and forget that you are connected to amazing people (if only for a short time). Your writing is amazing. I forgot how funny you are. I hope you keep writing. The way you connect with complete strangers and aren’t afraid to talk about your faith really inspires me. I need to be more willing to step out of my comfort zone and connect with those around me.”
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“Can’t wait for the next chapter, Chris! I’m glad I read this before heading out for my guaranteed-to-be-stressful work day. I chuckled, cackled, and hysterically sobbed! Now I’m ready to face the world!”
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“Dear Chris,
Thank you so much for the delicious Italian chocolate. After the first bite, Mom said “this is very delicious ” , and I said “mmmm” then after another bite Mom said , “oh this is good” and I said “mmmmmmmm”. It was better than American chocolate—- the perfect gift for chocolate lovers like us. I hope that you got some for yourself. We appreciate so much that you gave it to us —-sweets from the Sweet!
Also you certainly helped touch Michele’s heart with the rosary you brought her. She called me tonight and was still talking about her dear Willy remembering that she always said that she wanted a rosary from the Vatican and how you were so wonderful to do this for them. She was overwhelmed. So again Chris you have spread your special kind of happiness to those who are blessed enough to know you.”
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“dude ur shit kills me.. when im feeling down i just read ur page and laugh and laugh.. who would have thought u were funny.. haha”
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Hello, my darling Unicorn.
Hey, I just wanted to tell you that I adore you. You’ve been so sweet, kind and empathetic toward me knowing ****** is gone and the adjustment I’m having to experience.
It’s pretty much the last thing you need to worry about but I wanted to acknowledge you, your effort and your sweetness. I hang onto every word you say.
Love you, boo. Truly & madly.
XOXOX
ps. If I was in the Burgh, I’d be shit-faced drunk with you RIGHT MOTHERFUCKING NOW. Hugs!
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“I would like you to know that you have successfully made me laugh, out loud, for 2 days in a row! Thanks Chris!”
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“You make me laugh Chris! You make me laugh.”
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“Thank you for being who you are. Your words have inspired me. Thank You! Thank You! And if there’s ever anything I can do for you, don’t hesitate. I mean it. Be well.”
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Hi!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Miss you!!!!!!!!!!!! 3 minute Air hugs without letting go!!!!!!!!!!
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“OMG! Are you serious??? I laughed my head off! I always new you had issues and I always knew I loved you because if them but this.. …
Chris would you marry me?”
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“You are C A R A Z Z Z Z Z Y!!!!!”
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“Chris you smell like Old Spice and you love shiny short sleeve shirts… And I still love you more than ever!”
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“hahahahahahahahaha”
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The Dimwit Diary 