Day 10: Dear 16-Year-Old Me

Dear 16-year-old-me. Write a letter to yourself at age 16. What would you tell yourself? What would you make your younger self aware of?

Dear 16-Year-Old Me,

You’re a junior in high school and it’s probably too late to tell you to take school more seriously, but at least be a little more selective about what college you go to. You’ll get in to your safety school, but a few others as well. Think less about getting far away from where you grew up and more about future employment endeavors.

You’re planning to head off to a summer in Italy where you will have the time of your life. It will be your first time traveling out of the state without your parents and you are scared to death but excited at the same time.. You will do better than survive, you will thrive. You will prove to yourself and your parents that you could do it. One little piece of advice: don’t take your tripod with you. During a layover in Hamburg, Germany your metal fold up tripod will look like a gun and security will frisk you and question you at length until they finally realize that it’s just a tripod. If you do insist on bringing it anyway, bring a pillow too. You’ll need it when you spend the night in the airport lobby after the security delay causes you to miss your connection. Oh and please organize the many negatives from the photos you took on your trip so that one day, when you have a home of your own, you can enlarge and frame a beautiful shot of the gondolas in Venice that you took during the Regatta Storica. If you don’t, you will kick yourself with every new house. DO IT. Oh! Last thing, I promise – kiss that boy. You’ll know who I mean, kiss him.

In fact, as a general rule, date more, let loose more. There will come a time in your late 20s where you can’t anymore so do it now while you can. Just be smart about it and have fun.

You’re probably getting ready to take your driver’s test and I’d like to strongly suggest that you don’t take it immediately after you’ve had your wisdom teeth pulled – even if that is the only time that your sister says she can take you. You will not be successful driving while on Percocet and will fail your first test. I know you’re super excited, but just wait.

Speaking of your driver’s test, do more blood sugars. In fact do them before you drive whenever conceivably possible. You will not have an accident due to being too low or too high while driving, but your future self now knows that was just because you were insanely lucky. Get in the habit now – it will be easier than when you’re in your 30s and a mom and fully understand the importance. You’ll take a “break” soon from taking good care of yourself and doing so will seem less important and the number of blood sugars you do throughout the day will drop dramatically. This is because you’re stubborn and stupid and right now you just think you’re in control and you don’t need to do it. You do. Stop being an idiot. Test your blood sugar regularly no matter what and shut up about it. Again, it will be easier to get in that habit now rather than later.

And speaking of blood sugars, GO ON THE INSULIN PUMP. Seriously, stop saying no to your doctor. Again, you’re being stubborn. The insulin pump will change your life and make it so much easier to take care of yourself. If you don’t, you’ll wait until after 9/11 when you’ve been taking multiple daily injections for 22 years and run out of supplies while you’re stranded in Seattle on a business trip and can’t get a flight home because of the attacks. Do it now and save yourself a lot of grief.

Be nicer to your sisters and don’t get so upset when they’re not so nice to you. You will lose one sooner than you ever thought possible and will live the rest of your life wishing you had more time together. Let their comments and anyone else’s for that matter roll off your back – you know who you are and what you see when you look in the mirror. Don’t let anyone make you feel badly about yourself.

And finally, wherever you end up living or whatever you end up doing, make sure that you’re in Malony’s Bar in Scottsdale, Arizona on May 17, 1997. That really tall guy who is staring at you is going to become your husband and you’re meant for each other. Just ignore those god-awful shorts he’s wearing, he’s an amazing guy and he’s yours. Don’t miss him.

Love,

Your 38-Year-Old Self

P.S. – GO NOW AND BUY SOME APPLE STOCK. NOW, RUN!!!!!!! Hmm, throw in some Intel stock while you’re at it…

Advertisements