Tuesday, January 22, 2008

The letter

I have seen this lately on a few of the blogs I frequent, most recently Maria. No doubt inspired by the song Letter to me, by Brad Paisley, the meme is to write a letter to your 17 year-old self.

I have seen very heartfelt versions of the letter, giving detailed advice on future events and sharing the wisdom that has come with the years. I took a different route. I put myself in the shoes of my 17 year-old self and decided to talk only about matters in her immediate future. I don't want my entire future revealed, my journey cut short by ill-timed revelations. I want to walk the path and have the freedom to make mistakes, because they made me who I am today. My only warning about the future concerns the loss of a family member, to give my 17 year-old self a chance to enjoy this person more before he is gone.

So here it is, my letter to myself at age 17.

Dear Ingrid:

When you start college, don't give up on that biology major just because pre-calculus is hard. Getting one bad grade on a quiz should not cause such a drastic decision.

Quit smoking, damnit! On your last day of school you will be off early and a bunch of you school kids will celebrate at someone's house. Do me a favor, don't mix drinks or it will be quite a sight to see you in your catholic school uniform, puking in the bushes at the building where your mom works.

Oh, and before I forget: being 17 and never having kissed does not make you a freak.

Your father will die by the time you are 21. Take some time to get to know him better before he's gone.

Love,
yourself at 39

9 comments:

  1. Pre-Calculus hard? I still haven't figured out fractions. Good post.

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  2. Wow...I read this and got all teary eyed because I would have soooo much to tell myself at 17.

    I didn't realize that you lost your father at the same age I lost my folks. I wish I would have gotten to know them better, too...

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  3. short and too the point. Sure to have made a difference...if it had been sent.

    oh...and have a great day Ingrid! :)

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  4. I loved this approach and letter. I like that you didnt give too much away.

    And wanted her to ENJOY 17.


    Beautifully done!

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  5. Ah...si fuera posible enviarme esta carta al pasado, quizás hubiera evitado algunas malas decisiones.

    Me hiciste llorar. Hermoso.

    Un abrazo,

    Enid

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  6. But if we knew then what we know now. . .

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  7. This is a beautiful letter. When I got tagged I had to do it from a 13 year old perspective. It was HARD!

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  8. I am so sorry you lost your Dad at such a young age. Writing a letter to my 17-year old self would be difficult. I wouldn't know where to start. Nice letter!

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