ToT: I was 16 once.

Topic:
Write a letter to your 16-year-old self. Reflect on the life you had at 16, what you would change and what you did right.


Dear D@16:

That's the code name I've given to you so I don't have to type out "Danielle at 16 years old" everytime I refer to you.  I'm writing to you from the future because I just got a new flux capacitor.  That future just happens to be double your age...the year 2012.  And in that 16 extra years?  Wow.  That's all I got.

You don't have it so bad, you know.  You have a job and that is GREAT.  Get used to that.  Jobs don't go away.  And eventually one job will turn into a career.  Eventually.  And you won't even really see it coming.

The money you make from your job now just buys you stupid junk.  Remember your pre-ordered from Blockbuster Video VHS copy of Jerry Maquire?  Yeah...that kind of stupid junk.  What you don't know is that 1. Blockbuster Video doesn't exist anymore. 2. VHS cassettes don't exist anymore (excepting at yard sales where the current market value is around 5 for a buck). 3.  TOM CRUISE IS A LUNATIC.  (And on that note, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!?  There are WAY better celebrities to be obsessed with.)

Eventually, in about 4 years actually, your money from your job (at Mr. D's) will go to what we'll call essential things.  You know...the ROOF over your head.  The FOOD you eat.  The ELECTRICITY that allows you to cook the food and watch the moderately priced cable television package you can afford.  And trust me on this one:  in 16 more years, "moderately priced cable television package" will be an oxymoron.

Having a job is something you're doing RIGHT.  Keep the work ethic.  You'll need it.  Trust me.  Also?  Your education.  That's another giant thing you're doing RIGHT.  Keep your nose to the grindstone and don't give up. 

It isn't so bad...the journey on which you will embark.  You'll meet the man of your...dreams...I guess?  I say it that way because you already know him.  But right now the 2 of you don't even give each other the time of day.  He's the weirdo in the giant pants with the chains and you're the goody-2-shoes who never breaks the rules.  Well, atleast never breaks the rules and gets caught. :)

So you'll meet him, get a dog who changes your life forever, get another dog who changes your life forever, lose 2 dogs who changed your life forever and then get another one who is a crazy animal who eventually becomes a dog who changes your life forever.

And somewhere in there?  You'll do 2 things you said you'd never do.  You'll get married.  And you'll have a baby.

Oh how things change.  Compared to who you are in 2012, you as D@16 are a very close-minded person.  You already seem to be set in your ways about things and are very unforgiving and harsh.  NEWSFLASH:  that doesn't get you very far in life.  Especially in human relationships. 

So get over yourself.  Seriously.  Grow the F#&*@ up!!!  You're 16! 

You have done and will do several more things WRONG.  It's called life.  Some are pretty rough lessons, but you'll have support all the way through it.  Family, friends, your spouse, your pets and your child. 

If I had to list your biggest weakness, D@16, I'd say that it is your inability to forgive and/or your fear of changing your mind about things.  It's ABSOLUTELY OKAY to change your mind.  It's okay to forgive people for doing who-even-remembers-what.  Some of your bestest friends in the future will be those you've forgiven and those who've forgiven you.  Forgiveness is a strong force.  Use the force, D@16.  Use it. (You don't know how hilarious that is because you don't like Star Wars.  You won't like that for almost 10 more years.  Another weakness...)

Your biggest strength is your thirst for knowledge.  You'll still have that in 2012.  You'll have it to an even greater degree, though, because you'll be learning new things yourself and you'll be teaching a 4-year-old new things too. 

And the one thing I want to say to you and make sure you know is this:   90% of the bullshit that is important to you RIGHTNOWINYOURTINYLIFE will mean absolutely nothing in 2012.  Hell, most of it you won't even remember.  All those "friends?"  Well, when you reach the ripe old age of 32, you'll KNOW who your friends are.  No questions about it.  And you won't care about the people who aren't.  Those issues you're having?  They don't even compare to some of the ones you'll have in a few years.  Enjoy it.  Enjoy being young.

Hang in there, D@16.  It will be a wild ride.  Valleys and mountains.  Some of those valleys will be dark and deep.  But those giant mountains will more than make up for it.  Remember, a lesson learned the hard way is one that stays with ya.

And I don't say it enough, but I love you.  You're a great person and I'll always have your back.

Love,
D@32