Why a Rough Draft is a Good Idea

A couple of days ago Megan had finished her homework early, and for some reason she decided to write a letter-- not to a family member, like Poppy and Grammy, or to a friend who moved away this summer, but to an unknown soldier. (I'm sure there's a long involved story, but we didn't get that far.) The letter was sitting on the coffee table an hour later, and I happened to begin reading it.

It's too good not to share.

Dear Sir,

Hi! My name is Megan (she added her middle and last names, too). I am in the fifth grade and I'm 10 turning 11 on June 29. I have a little brother named Thomas. Thomas has Autism and ADHD. I have ADHD too. (It originally said "pretty severely"... she erased that and penciled in "too.") I hope this letter cheered you up! Would you like to be pen-pals?

I would like to be a comedian/artist when I grow up. What made you become a soldier? What started the war? When will the war end? Will it turn into World War 3??? Do you like chicken? Well that went a little too far.

~Megan