For the past 4 years, I have dedicated a few hours of my time each year to a certain 3rd grade class at a certain elementary school. Career Day just hasn’t been the same 
I enjoy the kid’s responses and I try to make it as “cool” as possible – so blame it on me when your kid comes home and wants to be an arteest! I get about a hundred or more letters each year, extolling my wonderous talents and abilities in the funniest 3rd grade penmanship. Ha – right – well, I decided to share some of the funniest ones and I also included my response to the lucky kiddos. May the laughter commence…
“Becky Johnson, Thank you for showing us all the pictures. I especially loved the families because they mostly have a good pose. I am inspired about when you always have a backup. I have a backup lunchbox, pencil and bed. When you put that couple together and the background was tilted, that was my favorite. I am going to take pictures like you. From, Virginia”
Dearest Virginia; thank you for having a backup. Backups are good. Tilting your camera can be bad if you do it too much.
“Dear Beaky Johnson, I wish I was a photographer so I can take pictures just like you and I can’t believe you have all that equipment. You are awesome. How many weddings have you been to? How many weddings are you going to? I really like your hair it is pretty and you are great. Sincerely, Madison”
Dearest Madison; If you ever need a mommy, just call me. Flattery will get you everywhere.
“Dear Becky Johnson, Thank you for coming and talking to our class. My favorite picture was the one called Amber. I think you are a wonderful photographer. You have excellent taste and ideas for pictures. You also have alot of equipment. Was it really pretty in Jamaica? Sincerely, Alyson”
Dearest Alyson; I love to eat pictures and if I am ever in Jamaica, I’ll be sure to take a few pictures. But I can tell you all about St. Croix.
“Dear Becky Johnson, I really appreciate you coming to our school and talking about your incredible, amazing career. I loved your presentation. It was truly extraordinary. I hope I see you again. I just want to say thank you. You were the best out of all the other speakers. Well, you were more interesting. I think being a photographer is cool, but hard job. I would have to take pictures everywhere. I thought you would get tired traveling the world. I liked the pictures. Especially, the baby ones. Wow, hilarious. It was plane funny. Do you ever have to leave. Like not do your job for a day? If I had to your job I would get tired. So, if I get engaged or married i will call you! So, be ready in about 10,11,12,13 years. So, I’ll see you then. Bye, I could see you before any of that if you come back. Bye.”
Dearest Little One with no Name; I have great follow-up, so I would have been knocking on your door in 10,11,12 or 13 years from now, but I don’t know who you are. Leave a sister a number next time!
“Dear Becky Johnson, Thankyou for coming. I think being a photographer is fun. I liked all of the pictures. Is your trix bag heavy when you travel with it? Do you carry the box with you? How often do you travel? Has the airplane broke your camera? Sincerely, Jylyn”
Dearest Jylyn; My bag of Trix is pretty light, because I eat it as I travel. And I assume you ask about the airplane breaking my camera cause you know who did it? Pass me their name and number and I promise not to let them know who told me…
“Dear Becky Johnson, Thank you for coming to XXXX Elementary and sharing about your wonderful career. One question I was going to ask was how many states and countries have you been to? But keep up the excellent work. My favorite picture was the ghostly girl walking toward you. Mrs. Hxxxxxx is getting married and she was going to ask if you can take a few pics. Sincerely, Dajah”
Dearest Dajah; Please let Ms. H. know that I never got that phone call.
“Do you ever take pictures of yourself”
Dearest Inquisitive One; No. Not anymore.
“Dear Becky When I saw all of your photographs i was happy especially of how much creative things you did to your photos. I surely loved them thanks. When I saw them, I looked like this.”
Dearest Doe Eyed; You looked adorable. Wish I had a camera.
“Dear Ms. Johnson, I loved your pictures. I was the one on the right and with red hair. My name is Melissa Sxxxx you can call me Melissa. I have a question for you. How many places have you been to and how many webbings have you been to? Please tell me if you can. Sincerely, Melissa”
Dearest Melissa; Now that we are on a first name basis, i will be wondering if every little red head I see is you. And next time I get an invitiation to a webbing, you will be the first to know.
“Dear Ms. Johnson, Thank you for coming to our school. We had a great watching the photographs. My favorite part was when the baby came out! When I grow up i want to be a photographer! Thank you for teaching us about your career. From Fernando”
Dearest Fernando; I can’t help but wonder, was there an obstetrician at Career Day before me?
“Dear Ms. Johnson, Thank you for showing us all of the funny pictures. The baby was really cute. Iloved the idea when you twisted the camera to look like the arrow was pointing at them. You took some great pictures. Do you take any pictures of adults sitting by themself? How did you take the picture of the bride & the groom jumping in the water together? I ask that because their in the air & they should fall pretty fast. I don’t know any person who can take a picture that fast. I know I can’t. You can take pictures so amazing. Thank you for being in career week with us. Your Friend, Trinity”
Dearest Trinity; Now that my secret is out, you hit the nail on the head. Of course no PERSON can shoot that fast. But aliens may be able to. I use my Jedi like reflexes and mind control to slow them down in mid-air and then snap faster than any human can. Please don’t say anything to anyone else.
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