November 18,2020

Dear Diana Von Gruning,

Hello, I hope someday you can read this letter written by my heart. I don’t know how to start
this but I will try my best to make it worth your time.

Kindness drives away criticism. You’ve shown me that despite your disability you never failed
to show respect and kindness. By humbly leaving your sketch with a remark of pardons it represents
how great woman you are. Even that guy judge you, you choose to be kind. I also appreciate your
passion in sketching, I guess it is your dream. I once dream to be a designer before yet I pursue
teaching because drawing won’t love me the way I love it. Funny isn’t it? I admire your dedication and
I wish you never stop until you get there. Do not let judgment block your way. Always find the right
spot to shine. The things I want to advice you is that maybe you should be more attentive especially
that you are deaf. Sharpen your other senses for it might save you from any harm. Be alert, what if
that guy has bad intentions on you, we can’t ever tell. Stay safe for you are such a beautiful woman. I
am praying that the treatment you received won’t ruin the way you view yourself. You are an amazing
person, the next time others treat you the same way always be reminded that you should use it as a
stepping stone to grow. Don’t let their criticisms mislead your path. Maybe you would question me
about the limitations of showing kindness, humbleness and respectfulness. I just want to advise you
to apply those virtues at all cost. Be kind even if others are not, even if others will not and even if
others cannot. Show respect even to people who don’t deserve it, not as a reflection of their
character, but as a reflection of yours. And at the end of the day, respects beget respects. Robert
Frost once said “Accept no one’s definition of your life, define yourself.” Life is full of people who
define us the way they want us to be. If others find a hundred reasons to put you down, hold on to the
only reason to stand firm. If others see you as ugly, see you as disrespectful, see you unmannered,
and see you badly don’t mind them. Focus on yourself alone. At the end of the day, you only have
yourself. The only person you should compare and listen at is the person you are yesterday. Their
words are merely assumptions it won’t even cover your whole personality. No one knows yourself
better except you. I just want to share a quote from Dr. Seuss, it says “Today you are you. That is
truer than true. There is no one alive who is you-er than you.” Luckily deafness can be cured by using
hearing aid. You might need to try to wear it so you can avoid facing the same situation again.

I appreciate you taking the time to look over my message. Thank you for inspiring me to be
kind even the world is very cruel. Always wear a smile, there are so much reason to be happy. Do not
let criticisms knock you off. Write back soon.

Sincerely,

Leah Baguio Bobis