Plot Twist Dairies

If you could write a letter to your young self what would you say? What would you warn yourself about? Would let yourself make the same mistakes or would you tell yourself every pot hole along the way?

How would your life differ if you knew then what you know now?

Yes, everyone would love to have a time-turner you know the timepiece from Harry Potter that allowed Harry and Hermione to go back in time to fix their mistakes in the Prisoner of Azkaban. Well, since those don’t exist in any universe that I know of what would you say to yourself?

Dear Teenage Self,

You are now 16 year old and you’re in high school at John F. Kennedy.  You are just full of life and a great person who cares about others. FYI this birthday doesn’t really mean as much as you think so don’t be upset when your daddy says no to throwing you the outrageous party that you asked for. Save the party for age 21.

You are probably rolling your eyes wondering why you are even reading this. I know what you are going through trust me and while I wouldn’t change much that happen because these events will mold you into the women you become and she’s pretty great I must say. I want you to embrace, feel and really learn from a few things.

So sit back relax and grab a Pepsi since you are so insistent on have at least 3 of them a day (That has to stop, drink more water) and listen for once before responding. READ THE WHOLE THING! Don’t stop in the middle because it’s something that you don’t want to hear and don’t dismiss the ideas because it’s something you don’t do.

2007 is a great year for you! You’re finally starting to break out of your shell a little bit. Your dad bought you a car for your birthday. I think he actually bought it so that he doesn’t have to take you back and forth to church or back and forth to all of the practices that you have.  It’s no big deal your dad loves that you do all the things that you do. It makes him proud. Keep it up. Don’t get upset that your dad doesn’t come to things that you have. Your dad works more hours a week then the average American and yes he is tired when he gets home. Plus if you never tell you dad about what’s going on, how is he supposed to come?   Take pictures and give them to him and I promise he will keep them forever. I know your dad still tells you

“Angel, life will hand you nothing. You have to work for everything. You can either work and be comfortable and live the life you want or be lazy and broke. Your choice”

You will play sports and be pretty good at them and meet people who you probably shouldn’t follow and ones who will be there for you well over ten years. I will let you figure that part out but make sure you keep an open mind and stay true to who you are. Don’t change for anyone, trust me they aren’t worth it.  Stay in JROTC even on the days you are inches from the guidance counselor’s office begging them to take you out. I don’t think Mrs. Lewis will accept that any way she will probably make you stay in the class. Don’t hate Mary for talking you into joining that class. SFC Collins will be key to the person you become but you didn’t hear that from me. Learn as much as you can from Dr. Young, he won’t be around forever. As much as your teachers get on your nervous they all have high hopes for you and will help you no matter what. More importantly have fun. Ask your parents if you can go out and go. Don’t just go home every day and do nothing or sit in front of the computer.

10^th grade flies by, you do the typical high school stuff. You will skip school a few times but make sure you keep up with your work. Your class rank counts on it. Enjoy your friends and don’t be afraid to make new ones. Before you look up you are a senior. Now before you read this next sentence sit down your soda and make sure there is nothing in your mouth to spit out. You get pregnant in high school half way through your senior year. And yes you disappointed a shit ton of people but don’t beat yourself up about it. I know that you wanted to wait until you were out of college and until you were stable but these are one of those things that change your life.  Buckle down honey because this road will be bumpy as hell. Don’t be too upset with SFC Collins, he had your best intentions at heart when he made that call that day. You will be scared and you will even think about abortion and you will be one appointment away from completing that task. Don’t do it. You will find that becoming a mother is probably one of the greatest high lights of your life. That little kid is amazing and you need him just as much as he needs you. Now I know you are thinking this is the end of the world. I’m going to be like every other teen mom. Well yes you do end up a single mom but it’s not anything that you can’t handle and yes you do go to college (Make sure you thank Mrs. Lewis for that) and no, it’s not the end of the world. Honestly my dear it is just the beginning of it. You meet amazing people in college. One who will have such a huge impact on your life that you rethink a lot of things that you did prior. He will teach you a shit ton of lessons and yeah some of them will hurt like hell but you grow because of them. There will be some days that you hate him and wish you never spent your time with him. The moral of the story is… keep him close!

I wish I could hug you, my sweet 16 year old self because life right now is so easy for you right now, but there is a foundation being laid that require some hard years ahead.

If I had any advice for you it would be this.

Listen to your parents now. I know now it sounds like bullshit and nothing they are saying ever happens but it does and they will end up being right. Talk to your dad more. I know you fear disappointing him but trust me he is a basket of both street knowledge and business knowledge and he will never lead you wrong. There is a reason why he makes you work for every dollar he hands you. Don’t get annoyed with that it becomes a valuable lesson. Talk more to your mother, even though she isn’t your birth mother and there is no reason to still have an attitude about it. She loves you. Yes, she may be old fashion but she isn’t wrong in her old fashion ways so don’t dismiss them.  She is a huge part of your life and the kid loves her almost as much as you do. Also realize that you have more family then just your house hold. Your sisters are buckets of information as well make sure that you spend time with them and the rest of your family. Find someone to talk to. Don’t bottle everything up. No one will judge you, well some people will but that doesn’t end up being important. Most importantly welcome the idea of change and growth. I got bad news for you pumpkin, you aren’t always right and there is nothing wrong with learning. You don’t have to do anything alone! Learn patience now! And keep an open mind, try new things.

Yes, you will definitely need another letter from me because there is so much more to share but this will do for now. I’ll save the rest for later.

Oh another thing you join the Army! I know your eyes are huge right now but you do. Crazy right? I told you SFC Collins was an important piece.

Get ready Get set Go

Angel, don’t be scared to fail. It’s part of life!

Just make sure when you fall you get back up.

Sincerely,

You’re much older self