For Mom and Dad for everything JS For my sisters JW
Journal STOP READING THIS RIGHT NOW IT IS MY PERSONAL BUSINESS NOT ANYBODY ELSE’S That especially means you Josephine Rosalie Altman If you turn a single page I will tell your whole grade that Dad’s nickname for you is Bubbles because you get very gassy I AM NOT KIDDING JO I AM DEFINITELY NOT
Dearest Celie For my tenth birthday my father gave me a punching bag and suggested that I slug it instead of slamming doors and hitting my brother And that is how I became the world-famous boxer I am today Okay As you well know I am not a world-famous boxer I am instead a mild-mannered lawyer However it was fun having a punching bag and it did cause at least a small decline in the number of times I hit my brother And so today for your tenth birthday I present to you a sporty punching bag along with this journal May you find each beneficial whenever you’re struggling to work through your feelings And may you inflict significantly less violence on Jo There are far worse older sisters out there I promise you All my love Dad
This Diary Is the Private Property of Celie Valentine Altman
