123 Pine Rd.
Hamilton, NJ 08037
856-123-4567
4/7/20
Ex Family
654 Dick St.
Hamilton, NJ 08037
Dear Ex Uncle,
The family has received your unnecessary COVID-19 warning, and feel you are twisting the facts. My cousins (your children) are definitely following social distancing rules. They play outside with the same two children occasionally. They never use the same athletic equipment, bikes or any other items. They were gloves and mask and stay 6 feet apart. My beautiful aunt has mentioned that her neighbors feel very uncomfortable with you inserting them into your disagreements with my aunt. Please if you have any questions or problems direct them towards my aunt and the rest of my family do not involve her neighbors.
We understand the seriousness of the virus, so please do not insult our family or my aunt by insinuating we would purposely put my cousins in danger.
However, my aunt and rest of the family feel we need to discuss the homework situation. The reason we allow the children outside to vent and exercise is because they have a large load of daily homework. The children (my cousins) have expressed that they do little to no homework while they stay with you. This is unfair, because they easily get stressed out and distracted dealing with the work load. Please make sure they finish at least two complete days worth of work or even more if possible.
The last few months we as a family have been truly encouraged with the path you were taking as coparents. I hope your lawyer’s letter was not evidence of you throwing our relationship into a downward spiral of negative communication.
Sincerely your ex niece,
Dara
Rowan ICCI Spring 2020 
Wow, Dara, your voice is this is so strong, direct, and mature. This letter makes such an interesting and unique addition to this section of the blog.
“We understand the seriousness of the virus, so please do not insult our family or my aunt by insinuating we would purposely put my cousins in danger.”
It’s quite effective that you shaped this as its own paragraph, and the straightforward tone of this sentence — and of the whole letter — is impressive. It seems like a very hard situation to be a part of, and it sounds like you’re handling it as well as you can.
Thanks so much for sharing.
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Dara this letter is very unique and different from any of the other stories we have read about in the blog and I’m glad you expressed your thoughts and concerns through this letter. I looked up the meaning of “hakuna matata” and I found it means everything is okay, or no worries. A fitting title for the way you express to your neighbors that there is no trouble or worries about your little cousins being in their backyard. This letter is very strong and sophisticated and gets your point across perfectly. Great writing as always! ~Malcolm Y.
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