Dear 16 year old Me,
What
should I tell you?
Will you listen to me and make any different decisions?
Will you listen to me and make any different decisions?
If you did know the
future, what would you choose to change? What would you gain and what would you loose because of those choices?
What
if I told you that you would have a series of health crisis that will result in
brain damage? That you will have trouble walking and talking and making
decisions? That you will have to start all over again learning about numbers
and reading? What if I told you
that pushing for health care, instead of ignoring your problems might have prevented
so much suffering.
If
you know all these things you should also know that, you are not alone. That boy you are dating, and your children, and
many friends will be there for you. There is help in the community, there
are friends to be made and grandchildren to be born. You should know that you will become a strong woman.
Maybe
you should NOT know any of this at age 16. Maybe you should meet the challenges as they
come to you, one day at a time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What
I really do want you to know is that you are of value and worth taking very
good care of. You have the strength
and wisdom to take on all that stands ahead of you. You should also
trust your instincts and ask for help when you feel things are not right. Ask
the questions and get help for your family, help for your friends, and yes -
even help for yourself.
With many Hugs,
A
much older Linda
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wego Health stated in their notes about this writing prompt for today that “This post was inspired by the “Dear 16-year-old Me” YouTube campaign video by The David Cornfield Melanoma Fund http://dcmf.ca/.” I want to include that excellent video here.
I have a close friend who is going through this right now. She is wise and knew to seek help early. I can’t do too much for her right now, but maybe seeing this video will help someone else.
3 comments:
Love your advise and agree...I would have never wanted to know what was ahead of me. The "surprise" of all my struggles and successes...was best left a surprise. This post helps me reflect on what's most important to instill in my son...thank you!
I am glad to see your words describing your adult self as a strong woman. You definitely are! I'm not sure I would have the same courage if faced with your challenges. I am very proud of you! :)
I loved your letter. And I agree with you totally. It's by going through these challenges that we become better than what we were.
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