Today's HAWMC prompt asks bloggers to write a letter to their 16-year-old self. Instead of redoing this one, I have decided to repost a letter I wrote to my 18-year-old self as part of the National Health Blog Post Month challenge last November.
Original post: November 3rd, 2011.
Dear 18 year old me,
Where do I begin? 18 is a big year for you; the year your life is going to start moving VERY fast. You'll move out of the house this year, start university, and meet 3 people who will play critical roles in the rest of your life.
You will make some big decisions this year that will alter the path of your life forever. Some of those decisions are good, and will bring you so much joy. Some, however, will cause you horrific emotional pain and lots and lots of stress, but you will emerge stronger, I promise. I could tell you what to avoid, or how to make it easier in the next 8 years, but you NEED to experience it all in order to get to where I am today.
So here are some highlights to look forward to in the next few years...
- You will meet your first husband this year. He is not the one for you, and you will know this early on, but you will stay married until you know the time is right to leave. It will be an ugly marriage, and an even uglier break-up, but he will give you two phenomenal sons who you will love more than life itself, and through your struggles, you will learn a great deal about yourself. Your first son will be born when you are twenty and finishing your first year of university. He'll be an amazing baby, who doesn't sleep much, but fills your heart with love. He will grow fast, faster than most in fact, and will become an amazing young man who is gentle, sweet, and kind. The second will be born in 2000 and will be a happy, fun-loving boy who will look just like you. He will be very strong in character and mind, and passionate about life. In 2005 he will be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, turning your entire world upside down. But together you will learn how to manage it and you will tirelessly fight for a cure.
-You will meet your best friend this year, who will, 10 years from now, become your husband. He IS the one. Your relationship will begin as friends and over the years you will become closer and closer, blossoming into something deep and magical. You will marry and have a beautiful daughter together, and be very happy. Treat him well and appreciate him every day, he is truly special and the love of your life.
-And are you sitting down? You will find, and meet, your birth mother this year and begin what is one of most fulfilling and rewarding relationships you will ever know. Treasure it.
So a bit of advice...
-keep your head up, especially when times seem tough. You will get through it.
-don't sweat the small stuff, it's just not worth it.
-take time to enjoy each and every day. Life is too short and passes too fast.
-tell those you care about how you feel, often
-take care of your body and your mind
-remember that anything is possible, no matter how hard it might seem at first
-believe in yourself
Nice post. This is one I did on life being too short. Life is too short
ReplyDeleteGreat letter and so true, our experiences shape us into the people we are. I wouldn't go back and change it, because it has defined me and made me the strong woman that I am. I love that you addressed that in your letter. I wish I would have made that more clear in mine.
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