A Love Letter of Apology – I Miss U
Remembering when I first lost U.
Sometimes I don’t even think of U. U barely ever cross my mind – out of habit, gone as though U never existed.
In other times I’ll catch myself in pause and have a think back on most of my life – when U were in my life, a part of my heritage, and swiftly just vanished when I began writing books.
Now, more often, I’ll find myself thinking about U. I’m sorry I abandoned U, but I was told it’s better this way to sever ties completely. There was no point me leading U on by using U just sometimes then mixing up my head, debating on whether to keep U in my life or to completely abandon U so I could stay focused.
So, I suppose I’m just writing to say I miss U. I’m sorry for the circumstances that tore us apart. I’m just better off without U to avoid confusion.
As a Canadian writer who made a choice after chatting with my editor almost 7 years ago, asking if I should write my books in Canadian or American English, I took her advice and began writing in American English. How could I write books in American English then write my blogs and all other writing in my native Canadian English? It was confusing at first, and left a door open to create a lot more typos with a new version of Amer-English, which of course is not acceptable. So, with a heavy heart, I said goodbye to U and all your friends – favourites, neighbours, colours, et al. in order to get used to the new wilderness world of American English without U.
P.S. I still love U.
DGKayewriter.com 
I love this – and I love U too.
I love u so much that I can’t give u up ever, no matter what happens.
Life just wouldn’t be the same without u.
Yor friend, Toni
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Lol Toni, priceless. So glad U stopped by 🙂 🙂 xx
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U had me fooled there for a moment! It is a wonder any of us learnt how to spell. Is Canadian exactly the same as English English? Our two oldest grandchildren are nearing the end of 3 years in USA and may be in Canada next or back in England – I wonder how they will get on with spelling?
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Lol thanks Janet. Yes, Canadian and British English are same spelling, but many words the Brits use are different – for example Lorrie in UK is what we call truck and a whole bunch of other words. 🙂
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Hi Debby – I hope lorry is the better way of spelling it – well it is here! Also we do use truck now … but the Us are essential … I hope Janet will pick this up … ?!
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Lol thanks Hilary!!! 🙂 x
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U are so clever and had me guessing for a while!
Occasionally, when I write to bloggers I know are Canadian, I slip in a U. WordPress knows I use American English though, and makes my word choice look like a misspelling. You are a favourite nonetheless, Debby!
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Lol thanks Marian. I’m glad to know I had you confused til nearer the end. True story though LOL 🙂
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LOL!! I write using Canadian/British spelling. I have many British readers so I’m glad I kept it. Also, many Canadian schools stock my books. From what I was told, It doesn’t really matter as long as the writer is consistent. I would miss the U as well. This is a very cute poem. xo
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Lol Darlene, it just came to me one night, but a true story! 🙂 🙂 xx
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It took me a bit to catch on, but I did. Thanks for the laugh, Debby. 🙂
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Lol Diana, that’s what I was hoping – to throw you off the trail til near the end 🙂 x
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I always add the ‘U’ – as a UK citizen it would feel very strange without it!
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I did feel strange for awhile until it became habit. 🙂
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It also took me a while to catch on. Very witty. Although I’m not a native speaker, I spent so many years in the UK and I use U, although sometimes I have to change that depending on what I’m translating or correcting. Oh, well, believe me, Spanish from Spain and from other places can appear quite different as well, but we tend to understand each other fairly well if we try hard enough.
I’m sure the U will forgive u! 😉
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Lol Olga, exactly why I just decided to drop the U for writing, too many chances of using both in same article lol 🙂
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Very good Debby.. of course we still use ‘U’ and I have to remember when I am hosting guests which version I should be using… thankfully it does not make any difference to the quality of writing…♥♥
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Lol, thanks Sal. It saves me a ton of confusion 🙂 ❤
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Oh, I miss it too, “colours” is the way I spelt the word for years until I started to write books too. ❤
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Oh yay Sis, good to know I’m not the only ‘traitor’ LOL. Hugs to U ❤
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Consistency does seem the wiser choice. Of course, you could have went the other way. It does give me pause–but only briefly, when I read books written in British (and former commonwealth countries) English. It’s the other cultural artifacts that are more confusing–like food, drink, clothes, transportation, etc. Spelling is the least of the reading challenge. I imagine there are some studies out there that suggest a marketing/sales choice. But your post is not about that–it’s your connection to your roots.
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Thanks John. I made the decision with my editor 7 years ago. No turning back now, lol 🙂
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Yup, clear as a bell (now, hope that rings in Canada) LOL 😉
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Lol 🙂
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it took me a while to get the missing “u” joke, such a clever post! and as an American, I always like seeing the “u”, it just seems classier…
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Lol, thanks Jim. I really do miss my U 😉
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I get mighty confused with British vs American English, Debby. I was taught to read and write British English, but my computer is American English. It often tells me my spelling is wrong and I trust it – incorrectly. I am not very good at spelling in the first place so this has just made it impossible.
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I hear you loud and clear Robbie. And one thing I learned years ago – never trust the suggestions from your computer lol, they’re wrong half the time. I find it much easier to pick a style and stick with it, hence everywhere I write and comment, I have to stick with my choice or I’d surely be writing in half and half, lol 🙂 x
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You’re a shining STAR Sally. Thank you ❤ ❤
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U are so clever! In fact, U are one of my favourite bloggers. Also, one of my favorite ones. xoxoxxo
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Aw shucks Pam! Lol, thank U my lovely friend! Wishing U and Urs a beautiful holiday season! ❤ xxx
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Oh, Sis! I laughed so hard reading this. How brilliant! I always wondered why you wrote in American English. I figured it was by choice. I would have told you to be you! I love U too, by the way. ❤
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Aw shucks Sis, lol. I know, hindsight is always 20/20. I wavered over the decision for awhile and decided to take my editor’s advice. No turning back! LOL Love ya. ❤ xxx
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Great post, Deb! Very clever and I did wonder at first just who ‘U’ was…now I know! I can fully appreciate why you needed to sever your ties with poor ‘U’, it gets very confusing! I, of course, still use it in all my writing but it was very confusing when I worked (as a PA/legal assistant in California) as you can imagine. I had to keep on my toes with no spell check on an electric typewriter lol! Them were the days, eh? And when I came back to the UK, I once again to check myself as I found it harder reverting to re-using the ‘U’ than dropping it! In fact, I lost out on one job, as I had to type a test letter and was told it sounded ‘too American’. Sometimes, you have to wonder if you can ever win! Love this Deb…and love U! 🙂 ❤ xxxxxxxxxx
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Omg a ‘fellow U loser’ LOL Sher, you know the struggle! Yes, that’s what inspired the poem. It’s madness using both, we’re bound to make mistakes – also the double ‘s’ – focused and focussed and so many more. Too confusing so I’m keeping it the way it is. More love and hugs to you my dear friend! ❤ Merry Christmas to 'U' 🙂 xoxox
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Arrgh…yes, the double ‘S’ too…same! Well, we do what works the best for us and that’s just fine, right?! Have a wonderful Christmas, dear Deb. I’m signing off after catching up here with you as my family are due to arrive this afternoon and I’ll be away from blogging until the new year. So more Merry Christmas and Happy New Year wishes to you, dear friend (and hugs!) to wish you a truly wonderful time and see you in 2020! 🙂 ❤ ❤ ❤ xoxoxo
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Yes, and the ‘double s’ and the ‘s’ instead of ‘z’, lol. Thanks again for dropping by again on your last blogging visit. Honored as always! Enjoy the season and all your family! Loads of hugs and good wishes being sent your way. ❤ ❤ xxx
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Heaven knows how we’ll be writing soon … but I do luv this post … and will always use Us … don’t know how you would say them otherwise … yous???
Take care and very cleverly fun – happy festive time and enjoy the time whatever the weather and woteva you be doing! Cheers Hilary
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LOL Hilary that is so cute. Of course I haven’t eliminated all ‘u’s’, but as you mentioned, just a clever posting on the ‘ou’. Happy Christmas Hilary! Hugs xx
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Love U, Debby!
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Aw thank you Jennie. Love U too ❤
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Brilliant love letter and post, Debby! While I know you’re Canadian, I never realized you were using American spelling, as I’m so used to reading that. Your decision totally makes sense to me! I grew up learning British English, but once I started traveling, making English-speaking friends, and picking up writing in English, I immediately switched to the American way as well. I’m glad I did, even though I remember and am able to use both versions when required. 🙂
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Thanks for your comment Liesbet. I think every writer has to make their own decisions about their choice of writing style. And as I stated here, it just made things easier to train myself to write in one style. 🙂 x
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