#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
This is going to be fun. Let me see at ten years old I was in the fifth grade, I was living in one of the smallest towns you can imagine; Atwood, TN. They still do not have a stop light. I spent a lot of time with my Dad’s Uncle and Ant, I call him my granddaddy now, the first story I wrote for public viewing was about him, and the day he died. I miss those days. Playing in their garden, sneaking his cigarettes and sour mash whiskey; sitting on the front porch watching the trains roll by. Listening to him tell stories about his days working during the Great Depression, and listening to her call me p!ss ant till I was sixteen. I was a lot more innocent, in some ways, back then. I’d like to say weren’t we all, but sadly we probably were not.
Dear Kevin,
You aren’t KB yet, but you will be soon enough, enjoy Kevin because one day you will almost hate it when people call you anything but your initials. You will make your reasons why, but in your head it will be some crazy thought about people knowing your name, and them having too much power over you for the knowledge of it. KB will remind you of the difference between 10 and whenever you decided to start trying to save every lost cause you run across. I’ll come back to that later. You will even get those initials tattooed on your right arm one day, surrounded by friends, and in a place you never go back to because you managed to obtain a traffic warrant. Don’t worry though, they don’t extradite their warrants. Some of those friends you won’t see much anymore when you get to where I am writing this from. It’s been a long time since I have seen any of them. Keep them close while you can, they mean a lot to you, every single one.
Enjoy those stories you get to listen to on the front porch as those trains roll by, they will end one day, and those very stories and the man that told them may inspire you to tell your own, and everyone else’s story one day. Listen to him as he recounts the things he had to do to provide for himself and his family, admire the hard work he did and continues to do. Go pay attention as he plants that garden. You may want to plant one of your own some day. Watch those tomato plants grow, try and learn to love them ripe instead of just green and fried. Those tomatos (You will stubbornly spell tomatos, tonite, and moma the wrong way; stick with it) will play a big part in your life eventually. No matter what happens remember to leave them on your chicken sandwiches, and love how they taste. There is not one damn thing wrong with looking back on every memory you have in a good way. You will let the anger of it all go one day, you’ll do it sooner than most, count yourself lucky. No matter how others may interpret what you say or do, remember that it isn’t anger that brings it about. Always try and qualify the things you say that are mean and nasty; tell folks the truth, but make sure and let them know that one truth leads to another. Be an honest man, tell your stories there is nothing wrong with a little fiction now and then, but when someone asks you something important leave the fiction out of it.
Listen to those train whistles as they roll by, they will never let you be. Enjoy the excitement of just guessing how many box cars there will be; one day nothing will matter but that whistle. It will become metaphor, allusion, and an adjective. It will become almost a proper noun, a living thing. Enjoy the simplicity of it being just a sound; a sound that signals the start of a much nicer game.
You know that little girl that sits up front in your classroom? The one you kissed when you were six and things like name brand clothes, weight, and your family’s social status didn’t matter. Watch how she treats you, take that all in. Remember that just because your folks do not have the money to buy you Levis and Nikes, that just because you ain’t a skinny little kid anymore, and just because your folks have to work for a living; sometimes in shitty paying jobs; remember that you ain’t no less of a person because of it. Forget that little freckle faced brat, one day a long time down the road, she will see you out and make her way over to you, smile and ask a question or two. She’ll flirt, wonder what you have been up to, and wonder if you would like to do something some time. Just be nice and don’t call her a half dead tramp and tell her to kiss your ass. Never mind go on ahead and do that; she deserved it.
You are going to catch a lot of bullshit over your social status; or rather your lack of it, your weight, and your being a nerd. You will catch bullshit over the way you treat folks who catch the same bullshit you do. Don’t worry, women will love you big and skinny, social status don’t mean a damn thing in the end or in the time before the end. You’ll just learn how to work is all, for peanuts, but work regardless. The nerd thing, yeah it will pay off. As for sticking up for all the rest of the outcasts, the nerds, the ones with less than others, and the fat kids. That is what being a real man is all about, you got to stand up for something or someone who for what ever reason can’t do it themselves. There is a lot more than just that involved in the “man thing, but that is a good start.
Somewhere along the way you are going to decide it is your burden, we don’t like that word, you will call it your tithe you owe to the world; you are going to decide that to pay your tithe you need to try and save every lost soul you stumble across. You can’t save them all, hell you might not save any of them, but you will try anyway. Those people will drag you down to the depths of hell, the cold part where the traitors and back biters find them selves being devoured by the devil as he sits imprisoned in a lake of ice. You will also like reading Dante’s Inferno. They don’t mean to drag you that far down; well some of them do, but not the majority of them. They are just as lost as you are. Blind leading the blind. You though, you have a better sense of direction. You can point them towards a safer path. Whether or not they take it is not up to you; and as soon as you think it was because you didn’t try hard enough you will falter and the world will get far too heavy. You will think those thoughts regardless sometimes, and when you need it most someone will come along to help you shoulder that burden, they will chip in on your tithe. Take the help, and thank the good Lord for it, it won’t always be there. Just don’t let it get too heavy.
Look over to your left, do you see that little three year old, skinny as a rail, mop headed boy? You are going to waste a lot of time not being a brother to him. You’ll try, but you two ain’t the same, he won’t grow up the same way, and it ain’t his fault. Love him, he knows you do, but tell him from time to time. He will turn out to be a good man just like you, even if you didn’t have a thing to do with it. Always remember that your daddy loves you, he grew up different, and he had it rougher than you will ever have to have it. Yall will get along eventually; tell him you love him too. Moma will always look at you like she can’t wait for some wise crack, make her laugh a little. She will also always be able to look at you and make you feel like you just want to lay down and cry. Pay attention to those looks, you’ll learn how to do the same, and it will be both your saving grace and your worst enemy. Those hazel-green eyes you got from her will never be able to tell a lie. Let someone who knows you and half the people who don’t look into them and you won’t have to say a word, written or out loud. Love those three people, and try not to be such an ungrateful ass to them. It will be hard because you feel at ease with them around you, but just try.
Music, oh boy, music is going to be a good friend to you. Listen to it all, well except for that pop rubbish that will become so prevalent 10 and 20 years from where you are now. Leave that crap alone. You will meet people all over who will suggest this or that, listen to it all, especially the ones who tell stories in their songs. Those songs will keep you company, and help you with your own stories. Proudly tell anyone who asks that the first tape you ever bought was “Licensed to Ill by The Beastie Boys. Never forget the women that sing you songs. That is a rare thing, you have any idea how many unloved bastards will never have a woman sing them a song, or sing a song because they know you? You are going to have a lot of fun boy.
One day about twenty years from where you are now; you will call yourself a mean, nasty, son-of-a-bitch. You are, and don’t forget it. Over the years you will do some mean things, and you will say some even nastier things to people you love. It is a defense mechanism, but that isn’t an excuse, you ain’t got to defend yourself near as often as you think you do. Remember to apologize, then or eventually. You will probably be surprised at the response you get from those apologies, even when you say it isn’t one. If a man needs his eye swollen shut, or a woman needs to hear someone tell her to get gone; then do it. Just be careful, sometimes you get the ones who need it confused with the ones that don’t. You are a decent man when you get to where I am, you love the right way, you will follow your friends to hell and back out again, you open doors for old people and women, cute or not. You say please and thank you, you introduce every over 60 year old couple you meet as “this lovely young couple; and you mean it. They believe you when you say it. Don’t let that get to your head though, cause that son-of-a-bitch is sitting right there, waiting to make his move.
Never make your move too soon, but don’t wait too long either.
No matter where you go, keep that accent, be proud of where you are from, and tell the biased and the ignorant that just because they meet some bad people in the south, that being Southern don’t have one thing to do with geography. When they call you a hillbilly; use the words extrapolate and exponential in the same sentence. Then tell them to take that hillbilly sh!t and go smoke it. In a grapevine. Using big words doesn’t make you smart, but it makes for good comedy sometimes.
Don’t drink so much, it ain’t going to fix a thing, you’ll find your moderation eventually, but remember where you came from, and remember that day you missed a fishing trip because your granddaddy was in jail for driving drunk.
Put that damn cigarette down, you ain’t ever going to shake them.
I’m about done with this, I am sure there are a million more things I could tell you as I look back, but you won’t listen; too damned hardheaded. I’ll list a few more, some new, and some we already talked about.
Open doors for people and open doors for your women; but pay attention to whether or not they reach over and open yours for you.
Keep the accent, find your voice.
Tell the folks you love that you love them. Cliché or not, we ain’t promised tomorrow.
You ain't a saint, not to everyone anyway.
Listen to Amos Lee, Norah Jones, Coltrane, Miles, and Bird York; listen to everyone else as well. You can skip Justin Timberlake, brought sexy back my ass, it never went no damn where.
When you find a Muse, make sure you let her know that is what she is, all of them.
Don’t ignore that train, but don’t let it take you away from where you belong. Don't let anyone but yourself be the conductor, when you're ready to stay still do it. You don't owe the world a fu**ing thing. That tithe was paid a long time ago; you listening to me you hard headed fool?
Remember who you are and how you got there; someone may want to read a story, hell a book about it one day.
Leave the tomato on the sandwich.
Southern girls really are the best, every last one of them.
Quit being so damned nasty and mean.
Be a man, even when you don’t want to be. It’s a relative thing, it isn’t concrete, and it changes every day.
Wink, no matter what, go ahead and wink.
KB
I’ll leave you with a quote; you are going to like quotes a lot. It’s from a man, a lot of folks don’t appreciate, a lot of folks will take advantage of when he ain’t around to defend himself, and he could be a mean, nasty, man himself. Here you go:
"I know it seems hard sometimes, but remember one thing, through every dark night, there's a bright day after that. So no matter how hard it gets, keep your chest out, keep your head up and handle it."
~Tupac
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
Life ain't linear.
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
Hiya KB,
I don't visit here so much anymore and when I do I usually just read posts rather than write, but I just wanted to say I like all the things you've written. You're incredibly insightful and interesting to read, but don't be so hard on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes, its how we learn. Ease up on yourself and don't be so self-critical, you sound like a very good person and I appreciate and enjoy the you I've come to know through your posts. Hugs to you.
:yh_hugs :yh_flower
I don't visit here so much anymore and when I do I usually just read posts rather than write, but I just wanted to say I like all the things you've written. You're incredibly insightful and interesting to read, but don't be so hard on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes, its how we learn. Ease up on yourself and don't be so self-critical, you sound like a very good person and I appreciate and enjoy the you I've come to know through your posts. Hugs to you.
:yh_hugs :yh_flower#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
I ain't being hard on myself, believe it or not. I'm about the most laid back person you'll meet. That doesn't mean I don't deserve a kick in the ass every once in awhile.
With that, goodnight.
With that, goodnight.
Life ain't linear.
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
Hello smaller me :-4
Dont change a thing.
Dont change a thing.
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Uncle Kram
- Posts: 5991
- Joined: Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:34 pm
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
I love your stuff KB as I have already stated. When I read it I always hear it as a narration over some cool movie. Keep 'em coming.
THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN PUN
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
You forgot your letter Krambo :-6
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
that is amazing KB.
�You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.�
• Mae West
• Mae West
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
KB, I love your stuff, too! :-6
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
Dear M:
I still can't believe your dad caught you roaring down 30th Ave on your bike and right through the stop sign. Just where was he standing. I saw the look on your face when you came home, you were stunned, I bet you checked around for him before you tore off didn't you. Well what can I tell ya kid, you always did things your way.
So wow, your 10 now and in grade 5, attending the smallest school in the city. Enjoy your friends, you won't have them for life, you are too much of a loner, to independent and too stubborn to keep in touch with them, even your best friend Suzy will become a stranger to you.
Oh yeah for grade 6, your going to a new school, a bigger one, 2 floors, massive, like a whole new world to you. You are moving, seems the folks want a bigger house, and a new house, they are having it built just for you guys. You are going to live in a ritzy area what do you think about that? Don't worry you will fit in just fine, nobody is going to care where you came from. Go be happy have fun, oh I forgot to mention you have to stay with your grand parents for a few months but don't worry your dad and your grandpa do not hate each other, they are just stubborn men who like to wrestle. Your mom will make sure you don’t' see the worst of the fighting.
Camping becomes a family passion, your dad gets a truck and camper and you spend many carefree weekends camping with your cousins. You camp in the middle of nowhere with no amenities and you learn some amazing skills, you hike, you fish, you get to ride around on the back of your dad's motor cycle. You will develop incredible memories and one day you will thank your mom and dad for these grand adventures.
You will travel, you will fly to Vancouver Island to spend Christmas's and summers with your grandparents. You will have amazing memories of these special times, and some of the best will be when your cousins come from the overseas a couple times. Your folks will take you way north to a cool gold mining town. They will take you south down the west coast into the USA, and Mexico. You will go to places like Disneyland and Hawaii.
You will enjoy that girl around the corner she is a lot like you, nice family, good manners, your folks knew her mom way back in their school days, she will be your best friend for the next phase of your life. And you will get into a lot of trouble together.
Life will be fun, your folks will never leave you wanting, they both have great jobs, and they trust you to get your brother home and fed at lunch, go on it's a huge step and you will learn a lot from being independent like this.
You will live a relatively carefree lifestyle just as any kid your age should.
Your brother and his friends however will get you into trouble, they will teach you about stealing, and making little fire bombs but don't you worry you will be well protected when the police come looking for that entire group of kids who almost lit that old mans house on fire. Your friends will deny you were ever there. You will have the opportunity to pay them back when the police catch you and your brother leaving the second fire in the school field¦. you will have to suck it up when they take you to your dad and you have to explain what you were involved with. This is where you will protect your friends and clear them of all wrong doings. But not without payment, you got the grounding of your life.
Oh you can't leave your brothers friends alone, you develop a crush on the one who is the oldest You learn about puppy love real quick, but kids your age are brain dead and insecure so you and he nervously carry on being buds and nothing ever becomes of your first crush.
You will loose your grandfather to the "black lung" but death won't stick in your mind.
Your parents become members of a committee and start to leave you and your brother alone at home while they take weekends away, they trust you and you will do them justice.
Sure there will be a party or 2 one will be a ripper and you will lie about it and get caught but you will never do it again.
You will attend High School and you will have more fun with friends than you will with learning. You will discover parties and cars and boys
Your dad's job goes better than imagined, you are moving again to the country to a 20 acre spread. You will buy a car, and a horse, and will go to college.
You will drop out of college, move back to the city and take an office job.
You will get engaged, you will get pregnant, you will get unengaged, you will put that child up for adoption because you know you can not raise a child on your own when you are barely out of childhood yourself.
You will work hard, and later marry and have kids and your life will carry on.
You will often reflect on all the good things your parents gave you, the lifestyle they provided for you and you will be thankful for all of it, after all it was a wonderful life.
After 40 you will experience death, you will loose your 2 dearest friends, your father in law and both your grandparents in a span of 18 months.
You will go through a hellish divorce, you will hit rock bottom, you will learn the true meaning of hate. You will be torn from your comfort zone and pushed down to the darkest pit of dispair. You will know struggle, and fear. You will live through the worst times of your life, you will face your mothers breast cancer, your fathers heart attack, your own personal struggles that appear endless at times. You will battle with your oldest daughter and push her from your home and that will probably be your toughest decision ever. You will cry softball sized tears for her, because of her and with her. You will be surprised by her in the end. You will cultivate amazingly special relationships with both daughters in unique ways. They will make you proud.
You will come out of all this and realize a number of things¦.
1) You have the best parents on the planet who did a marvelous job of raising you. They were always there for you through everything no matter how awful things got.
2) You are strong and you have endured and you should be proud of yourself.
3) You raised amazing daughters.
Go forth young M, your going to be in for the ride of your life.
Sincerely
your chrystal ball
Dear M:
I still can't believe your dad caught you roaring down 30th Ave on your bike and right through the stop sign. Just where was he standing. I saw the look on your face when you came home, you were stunned, I bet you checked around for him before you tore off didn't you. Well what can I tell ya kid, you always did things your way.
So wow, your 10 now and in grade 5, attending the smallest school in the city. Enjoy your friends, you won't have them for life, you are too much of a loner, to independent and too stubborn to keep in touch with them, even your best friend Suzy will become a stranger to you.
Oh yeah for grade 6, your going to a new school, a bigger one, 2 floors, massive, like a whole new world to you. You are moving, seems the folks want a bigger house, and a new house, they are having it built just for you guys. You are going to live in a ritzy area what do you think about that? Don't worry you will fit in just fine, nobody is going to care where you came from. Go be happy have fun, oh I forgot to mention you have to stay with your grand parents for a few months but don't worry your dad and your grandpa do not hate each other, they are just stubborn men who like to wrestle. Your mom will make sure you don’t' see the worst of the fighting.
Camping becomes a family passion, your dad gets a truck and camper and you spend many carefree weekends camping with your cousins. You camp in the middle of nowhere with no amenities and you learn some amazing skills, you hike, you fish, you get to ride around on the back of your dad's motor cycle. You will develop incredible memories and one day you will thank your mom and dad for these grand adventures.
You will travel, you will fly to Vancouver Island to spend Christmas's and summers with your grandparents. You will have amazing memories of these special times, and some of the best will be when your cousins come from the overseas a couple times. Your folks will take you way north to a cool gold mining town. They will take you south down the west coast into the USA, and Mexico. You will go to places like Disneyland and Hawaii.
You will enjoy that girl around the corner she is a lot like you, nice family, good manners, your folks knew her mom way back in their school days, she will be your best friend for the next phase of your life. And you will get into a lot of trouble together.
Life will be fun, your folks will never leave you wanting, they both have great jobs, and they trust you to get your brother home and fed at lunch, go on it's a huge step and you will learn a lot from being independent like this.
You will live a relatively carefree lifestyle just as any kid your age should.
Your brother and his friends however will get you into trouble, they will teach you about stealing, and making little fire bombs but don't you worry you will be well protected when the police come looking for that entire group of kids who almost lit that old mans house on fire. Your friends will deny you were ever there. You will have the opportunity to pay them back when the police catch you and your brother leaving the second fire in the school field¦. you will have to suck it up when they take you to your dad and you have to explain what you were involved with. This is where you will protect your friends and clear them of all wrong doings. But not without payment, you got the grounding of your life.
Oh you can't leave your brothers friends alone, you develop a crush on the one who is the oldest You learn about puppy love real quick, but kids your age are brain dead and insecure so you and he nervously carry on being buds and nothing ever becomes of your first crush.
You will loose your grandfather to the "black lung" but death won't stick in your mind.
Your parents become members of a committee and start to leave you and your brother alone at home while they take weekends away, they trust you and you will do them justice.
Sure there will be a party or 2 one will be a ripper and you will lie about it and get caught but you will never do it again.
You will attend High School and you will have more fun with friends than you will with learning. You will discover parties and cars and boys
Your dad's job goes better than imagined, you are moving again to the country to a 20 acre spread. You will buy a car, and a horse, and will go to college.
You will drop out of college, move back to the city and take an office job.
You will get engaged, you will get pregnant, you will get unengaged, you will put that child up for adoption because you know you can not raise a child on your own when you are barely out of childhood yourself.
You will work hard, and later marry and have kids and your life will carry on.
You will often reflect on all the good things your parents gave you, the lifestyle they provided for you and you will be thankful for all of it, after all it was a wonderful life.
After 40 you will experience death, you will loose your 2 dearest friends, your father in law and both your grandparents in a span of 18 months.
You will go through a hellish divorce, you will hit rock bottom, you will learn the true meaning of hate. You will be torn from your comfort zone and pushed down to the darkest pit of dispair. You will know struggle, and fear. You will live through the worst times of your life, you will face your mothers breast cancer, your fathers heart attack, your own personal struggles that appear endless at times. You will battle with your oldest daughter and push her from your home and that will probably be your toughest decision ever. You will cry softball sized tears for her, because of her and with her. You will be surprised by her in the end. You will cultivate amazingly special relationships with both daughters in unique ways. They will make you proud.
You will come out of all this and realize a number of things¦.
1) You have the best parents on the planet who did a marvelous job of raising you. They were always there for you through everything no matter how awful things got.
2) You are strong and you have endured and you should be proud of yourself.
3) You raised amazing daughters.
Go forth young M, your going to be in for the ride of your life.
Sincerely
your chrystal ball
�You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.�
• Mae West
• Mae West
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
That was beautiful Minks, and I enjoyed the feeling it raised. It was nice and cathartic wasn't it?
Life ain't linear.
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
KB.;636619 wrote: That was beautiful Minks, and I enjoyed the feeling it raised. It was nice and cathartic wasn't it?
yes I think it was. Hmmm maybe I could write again.... thanks for the inspiration.
yes I think it was. Hmmm maybe I could write again.... thanks for the inspiration.
�You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.�
• Mae West
• Mae West
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along-for-the-ride
- Posts: 11732
- Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2005 4:28 pm
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
My dear 10 year old me,
You were the big sister to two sisters and two brothers at that time. Sometimes you played together, sometimes you fought, but you know you always loved them and they loved you. They were family.
You enjoyed listening to those records Daddy would put on the stereo, Mantivanni, oldies but goodies from the forties and fifties. Sometimes, on the rare occasions when you were alone, you would put on a record and dance in the livingroom.
You loved to make Mommy laugh and smile. When Mommy felt bad, you felt bad. You especially enjoyed it when Mommy made spaghetti for supper.
You were shy and quiet and listened. You could also get your feelings hurt easily.
You liked to play outside on a hot sunny day and play indoors with paper dolls. Also getting the Monopoly board game on the table and playing with the family.
You were attending a Catholic school at the time and tried to be a good student and bring home a good report card. The nuns were kind of mysterious in their black and white habits.
You had little girlfriends to giggle with and little boyfriends to flirt with.
You were not perfect, but you were young and innocent.
I am glad I was you.
You were the big sister to two sisters and two brothers at that time. Sometimes you played together, sometimes you fought, but you know you always loved them and they loved you. They were family.
You enjoyed listening to those records Daddy would put on the stereo, Mantivanni, oldies but goodies from the forties and fifties. Sometimes, on the rare occasions when you were alone, you would put on a record and dance in the livingroom.
You loved to make Mommy laugh and smile. When Mommy felt bad, you felt bad. You especially enjoyed it when Mommy made spaghetti for supper.
You were shy and quiet and listened. You could also get your feelings hurt easily.
You liked to play outside on a hot sunny day and play indoors with paper dolls. Also getting the Monopoly board game on the table and playing with the family.
You were attending a Catholic school at the time and tried to be a good student and bring home a good report card. The nuns were kind of mysterious in their black and white habits.
You had little girlfriends to giggle with and little boyfriends to flirt with.
You were not perfect, but you were young and innocent.
I am glad I was you.
Life is a Highway. Let's share the Commute.
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
dear 7 year old jimbo
dont believe adults
if you pick your nose too much your head will not cave in
and er fiddling to much wont make you go blind
:wah: :wah:
dont believe adults
if you pick your nose too much your head will not cave in
and er fiddling to much wont make you go blind
:wah: :wah:
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Tater Tazz
- Posts: 2938
- Joined: Tue Oct 03, 2006 9:25 am
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
Hello 10 year old me.
I will start by saying I am sorry for the rottin life you have to look forward too.
You will have some good times, but, mostly bad.
Your first marriage will end in a divorce for your husband will beat you.
The happy part in your life is you having a daughter.
You will marry again, but, it will start going down hill.
You will have to have many surgergies that will not help your pain at all and you will have to deal with it.
Your so called friends are out to get you and they will. You work hard for what, to be treated like sh*t. You should be used to that by now, that is how your whole life has almost been. Well, I will not take up much of your time, go get treated like sh*t. Your friend you.
I will start by saying I am sorry for the rottin life you have to look forward too.
You will have some good times, but, mostly bad.
Your first marriage will end in a divorce for your husband will beat you.
The happy part in your life is you having a daughter.
You will marry again, but, it will start going down hill.
You will have to have many surgergies that will not help your pain at all and you will have to deal with it.
Your so called friends are out to get you and they will. You work hard for what, to be treated like sh*t. You should be used to that by now, that is how your whole life has almost been. Well, I will not take up much of your time, go get treated like sh*t. Your friend you.
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
Very good stories, lots of real emotion. Told you it is like therapy. I've enjoyed reading them all.
Life ain't linear.
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RedGlitter
- Posts: 15777
- Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2005 3:51 am
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
Heya Ter,
Listen. Right now you think your life is hard. Girl, you don't know what's gonna come on down the pike in your lifetime. You're gonna have to get through school some way and try to stay safe at home- some way- but you'll manage.
You're going to "manage" a lot in your life. When you get where I am now, you're going to just have started learning just how much you can say grace over. Your plate will always be overflowing with more than you can possibly eat and I'm not talking food. Suck it up and be a real woman. A good woman. You have it in you. When you're still young and naive you're going to meet the man you think God made for you and you'll know real happiness finally. But it will be shortlived and he will leave you. You will spend years trying to get your happiness back and right when you want to give up, you'll get another chance. Go for it. See if you can make it work. I can't tell you if it will or not because I'm there now. But I have high hopes.
You will make friends and lose them. Get used to it. You'll blame yourself every time one goes but you don't realize they're on their own path to the answers. When you know this, you can let go of people easier.
Don't sell yourself short. Don't use other people for your mirror. Always believe in love at all costs. That's the only thing that holds life together.
The troubles you have with Mom are gonna cease. You'll see a day brighter than you ever thought possible and then things'll be okay. Always give Mom the credit. She's just now showing you what she's made of. She's just now setting the bar for you. She may not know that's what she's doing but see, she's on her own path just like the others so she can't always see everything either. Love your mama. She's the one good and true constant in your life. She will never let you down. You'll let her down many times. And you'll cry a lot of tears over those times and want to have do-overs. But Ter, life doesn't give do-overs so do things right the first time.
You're gonna have a hard time knowing your place in the world, indeed in life. By the time you're 25 or so, you'll know that *is* your place in the world and in life, to never really know, and you'll accept that and will stop searching.
Your dad loves you. I know it's hard. He always has. He's had to do his growing up in front of you. Forgive him. Repeatedly. As many times as it takes. You only get one dad. Try harder. You'll know what I mean.
When you get about 13, your defiant streak is gonna kick in and it'll never ever leave you. You're gonna have it till you die and probably after that, knowing you. Make friends with it. It's going to make your life hard but there will be times when it'll be your saving grace. Never let go of it.
Stand up for the underdog. You will always be one yourself. You're going to grow up to have some very strong ideas about how things oughtta be. You're not gonna be popular for it but them's the breaks. Stand up for what you believe is right even if you're the last one standing.
You'll learn that sometimes you have to do the wrong thing for the right reason.
When you hit 22, your world's gonna start changing. That's the first time Mom's gonna get sick. This is when it's all gonna start. She'll make it and you'll think everything's good and safe again. You'll carry on.
Then when you hit your 30s Mom's gonna get sick again. She's almost gonna die but she's tougher than cancer and she'll make it again.
You'll know God by now. Where once you were angry and didn't believe, being the child you were, you are now a woman who's been shaken. Things are way different now.
You and Mom are gonna make up for lost time and she will be your best friend in the next eight years. You're gonna start a business together just because you're needed in the field. You're going to keep dogs and cats from dying. It's going to be the biggest and most rewarding and yet heartbreaking thing you've done yet. You'll learn a lot about yourself in the next seven years. And a lot about other people. And a lot about Mom. She's still setting examples for you Ter, but you're still blind to them right now. Things are gonna start getting hardscrabble for you now and right when you thought things couldn't get worse, they do.
Mom gets cancer again. You think she'll just beat it like the last two times. You have that much belief in her. But she doesn't. It overtakes her like the insidious wretched evil it is and you find yourself at her deathbed making promises. Both to Mom and to God. Then she's gone. Just like that.
It's going to break your soul.
You stumble. And falter. You're foundering for a long time.
You learn the value of friends. The value of faith. Of believing.
It's a year down the road. You and Dad still have your moments but you're a team more or less, now. You realize he's the only one you have left and that you'd better shake a leg and start doing things a little differently. You're 41 now. You don't have a lot to show for it, compared to others your age. But you have learned your own strength. And what you're capable of. And you find yourself doing things you never thought you'd have to do. But you do them just the same. And you suck it up. And you know you are a good woman. It will take you this long to accept that.
Listen. Right now you think your life is hard. Girl, you don't know what's gonna come on down the pike in your lifetime. You're gonna have to get through school some way and try to stay safe at home- some way- but you'll manage.
You're going to "manage" a lot in your life. When you get where I am now, you're going to just have started learning just how much you can say grace over. Your plate will always be overflowing with more than you can possibly eat and I'm not talking food. Suck it up and be a real woman. A good woman. You have it in you. When you're still young and naive you're going to meet the man you think God made for you and you'll know real happiness finally. But it will be shortlived and he will leave you. You will spend years trying to get your happiness back and right when you want to give up, you'll get another chance. Go for it. See if you can make it work. I can't tell you if it will or not because I'm there now. But I have high hopes.
You will make friends and lose them. Get used to it. You'll blame yourself every time one goes but you don't realize they're on their own path to the answers. When you know this, you can let go of people easier.
Don't sell yourself short. Don't use other people for your mirror. Always believe in love at all costs. That's the only thing that holds life together.
The troubles you have with Mom are gonna cease. You'll see a day brighter than you ever thought possible and then things'll be okay. Always give Mom the credit. She's just now showing you what she's made of. She's just now setting the bar for you. She may not know that's what she's doing but see, she's on her own path just like the others so she can't always see everything either. Love your mama. She's the one good and true constant in your life. She will never let you down. You'll let her down many times. And you'll cry a lot of tears over those times and want to have do-overs. But Ter, life doesn't give do-overs so do things right the first time.
You're gonna have a hard time knowing your place in the world, indeed in life. By the time you're 25 or so, you'll know that *is* your place in the world and in life, to never really know, and you'll accept that and will stop searching.
Your dad loves you. I know it's hard. He always has. He's had to do his growing up in front of you. Forgive him. Repeatedly. As many times as it takes. You only get one dad. Try harder. You'll know what I mean.
When you get about 13, your defiant streak is gonna kick in and it'll never ever leave you. You're gonna have it till you die and probably after that, knowing you. Make friends with it. It's going to make your life hard but there will be times when it'll be your saving grace. Never let go of it.
Stand up for the underdog. You will always be one yourself. You're going to grow up to have some very strong ideas about how things oughtta be. You're not gonna be popular for it but them's the breaks. Stand up for what you believe is right even if you're the last one standing.
You'll learn that sometimes you have to do the wrong thing for the right reason.
When you hit 22, your world's gonna start changing. That's the first time Mom's gonna get sick. This is when it's all gonna start. She'll make it and you'll think everything's good and safe again. You'll carry on.
Then when you hit your 30s Mom's gonna get sick again. She's almost gonna die but she's tougher than cancer and she'll make it again.
You'll know God by now. Where once you were angry and didn't believe, being the child you were, you are now a woman who's been shaken. Things are way different now.
You and Mom are gonna make up for lost time and she will be your best friend in the next eight years. You're gonna start a business together just because you're needed in the field. You're going to keep dogs and cats from dying. It's going to be the biggest and most rewarding and yet heartbreaking thing you've done yet. You'll learn a lot about yourself in the next seven years. And a lot about other people. And a lot about Mom. She's still setting examples for you Ter, but you're still blind to them right now. Things are gonna start getting hardscrabble for you now and right when you thought things couldn't get worse, they do.
Mom gets cancer again. You think she'll just beat it like the last two times. You have that much belief in her. But she doesn't. It overtakes her like the insidious wretched evil it is and you find yourself at her deathbed making promises. Both to Mom and to God. Then she's gone. Just like that.
It's going to break your soul.
You stumble. And falter. You're foundering for a long time.
You learn the value of friends. The value of faith. Of believing.
It's a year down the road. You and Dad still have your moments but you're a team more or less, now. You realize he's the only one you have left and that you'd better shake a leg and start doing things a little differently. You're 41 now. You don't have a lot to show for it, compared to others your age. But you have learned your own strength. And what you're capable of. And you find yourself doing things you never thought you'd have to do. But you do them just the same. And you suck it up. And you know you are a good woman. It will take you this long to accept that.
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
No matter how alone you think your are or how unique your struggles are, or how desperate your life may seem This place brings us together and gives us a real lift when we read about each other.
You guys those are wonderful stories. Seems we have all faced some pretty crazy challenges.
I have to admit until I was about 40 I though I was normal to coast through life.... I was not, not so normal more like blessed.
KB this has been an inspiring thread, thank you.
M
You guys those are wonderful stories. Seems we have all faced some pretty crazy challenges.
I have to admit until I was about 40 I though I was normal to coast through life.... I was not, not so normal more like blessed.
KB this has been an inspiring thread, thank you.
M
�You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.�
• Mae West
• Mae West
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
minks;637930 wrote:
KB this has been an inspiring thread, thank you.
M
Thank Laney, I wouldn't have written mine if she hadn't posted that list. Good letter RG, I hope it felt good to write it.
KB this has been an inspiring thread, thank you.
M
Thank Laney, I wouldn't have written mine if she hadn't posted that list. Good letter RG, I hope it felt good to write it.
Life ain't linear.
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
Thank you Laneybug for the inspiration
�You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.�
• Mae West
• Mae West
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
Dear Little Ybird
There’s not much I can really say to you because you’ll find it all out for yourself soon enough. Plus whatever I tell you, you won’t change anything about how your life will go.
All I would say is try to be a stronger person and not let your emotions get the better of. You are going to get hurt in a lot of ways but the experiences will make you a better person. You will get stabbed in the back and you will get your heart broken. Although it’s gonna be a bumpy road, stick with it, even if you feel like you just wanna run away from it all.
Think carefully about all decisions you make. You will make good ones but you will also make a lot of bad ones.
Most of all though, whatever happens and whatever you do, don’t regret your life.
Lots of love
A Bit Bigger Ybird
There’s not much I can really say to you because you’ll find it all out for yourself soon enough. Plus whatever I tell you, you won’t change anything about how your life will go.
All I would say is try to be a stronger person and not let your emotions get the better of. You are going to get hurt in a lot of ways but the experiences will make you a better person. You will get stabbed in the back and you will get your heart broken. Although it’s gonna be a bumpy road, stick with it, even if you feel like you just wanna run away from it all.
Think carefully about all decisions you make. You will make good ones but you will also make a lot of bad ones.
Most of all though, whatever happens and whatever you do, don’t regret your life.
Lots of love
A Bit Bigger Ybird
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
dont leave ya brothers side he going to need ya
"To be foolish and to recognize that one is foolish, is better than to be foolish and imagine that one is wise."
-
RedGlitter
- Posts: 15777
- Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2005 3:51 am
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
Thank you, KB. I appreciate that.
I feel like giving Ybird a little hug.
Jesse.....you know. Yang here.
I feel like giving Ybird a little hug.
Jesse.....you know. Yang here.
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
RedGlitter;637987 wrote: Thank you, KB. I appreciate that.
I feel like giving Ybird a little hug.
Jesse.....you know. Yang here.
:yh_hugs :yh_hugs
I feel like giving Ybird a little hug.
Jesse.....you know. Yang here.
:yh_hugs :yh_hugs
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along-for-the-ride
- Posts: 11732
- Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2005 4:28 pm
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
My question is this....Would our ten-year old selves really abide by any advice we would give then?
If you could get their attention, they would listen respectfully (because you are an adult), smile awkwardly, then go about their business of life. I would not want to know what life awaits me. I would just want to enjoy being a child for awhile.
If you could get their attention, they would listen respectfully (because you are an adult), smile awkwardly, then go about their business of life. I would not want to know what life awaits me. I would just want to enjoy being a child for awhile.
Life is a Highway. Let's share the Commute.
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
It isn't about giving advice; it is about being retrospective. It's a writing exercise not a formula for time travel. As far as my story went, I did exactly the things I told my ten year old self to do.
Life ain't linear.
#7: Write a letter to the 10 year old child you were.
Wow, KB, this goes beyond anything I ever expected from that prompt. It's simply amazing. It says volumes, even though the context is meant only for you.
As I always am with your work, I'm impressed.
As I always am with your work, I'm impressed.
It is better to have your mind opened by wonder
than closed by belief.
than closed by belief.