Don't know if we ever had a thread like this before so I thought I'd give it a whirl.
Seem like every time I turned on the radio today Brad Paisley's "Letter to Me" was playing so I got to thinking: What would I say if I could write a letter to a younger me? That would be a great Pet Talk thread! (See I think about you guys throughout the day) So, if you could write a letter to a young you, what would you say?
Here's mine:
Dear 1999 Ann,
Hello from the future! I know you're hurting right now. You thought Matt was "the one" but he was just a jerk. Right? Well, you're right, he is and you will go back to him and he will be a jerk again. You will be right back where you are right now, feeling exactly the same way. It's ok though because that jerk you will help you find the sweetest guy. That sweet guy is that annoying guy you currently want to slap... again. Yeah, that guy. Follow your gut, give him a chance. Not right now! He is that annoying right now, in fact slap him again - he likes it, but he'll show his true colors soon enough. He helps you break out of that shell you hate. You're a shy little girl right now but you won't be that way forever. In fact you won't be that way by graduation. That sweet guy is the one that is gonna see you at your worse and I do mean your worse. You know that fear in the back of your head, it happens. You're going to look up expecting to see him running for the hills only to find him standing there to lift you back up. You won't be able to run him off, I've tried.
Listen to G-ma, even if you don't like what she's saying, because as much as I hate to admit it: she's right 99% of the time. I'm too stubborn to give up that last 1%. She's going to show you how to take all the craziness that is the family and find all the good times. She shows you how to ignore the bad times. She shows you how fight for your opinion, even against Mom. She shows you how to be her. You won't realize this until it's too late and you lose her. This year will be your first without her and you're going to be confused and lost. My only advice: listen to her voice in your head. She's told you what you need to do. And when you do something that you just know she'd love you're going to get a flash of that famous G-ma wink and you're heart is gonna stop from the crash of grief. Breathe, smile, and wink back.
Have patience with Mom. She does what she thinks is right for you even if it slightly off. Remember she's struggling with depression and experiences you never had. She's going to forget the awful things she says to you. She needs you! As much as you want to turn your back and walk away, remember that fact.
Forgive Aunt Carol, Erma, and Mary... a lot. You would do the same thing if you were in their shoes.
Remember all those times you picked on your younger brother Mike and they told you he is going to be bigger than you one day. He is. Don't worry there is no payback...yet. He will try to drop you on your head a few times. Tuck and roll. Get very use to stupid teenage boy habits because him, Richie, and Brandon are going to have a lot of them.
After high school you're not really ready for college but you will go anyway. You will waste a year before you drop out. It is the one thing that you really regret in life. You will go back when you grow up some, I promise.
Remember to laugh daily.
Remember to over use the words: I love you.
Trust yourself because you've had great life teachers. You're even going to be one yourself.
When you see the annoying one's big brother in the hallway, hug him. He gives you a pretty cool sister-in-law.
Buy some nonflammable jeans. Trust me, you'll need them.
Hug Uncle Tom every single time you see him and never pass an opportunity to see him.
Remember it's not you against the world, it's you with the world. Everyone is struggling with something. Help, don't hinder.
Love yourself. Hold your head high. You might think you can't get through some things but remember you come from a long line of strong women. You can do whatever you want. Want big things.
Embrace the craziness/weirdness/goofiness, it makes you who you are.
Love,
2009 Ann
