Hello everyone I was tagged by Funbi to do a letter to myself at age sixteen. She wanted me to tag 7 others, but I want to open this up to anyone who wants to participate. Self reflection allows us to learn from our mistakes.
Dear Jen,
First off, I want to let you know that you will heal and things will get better. The loss of our last remaining grandparent feels so overwhelming crushing right now that you feel like your world has ended. I won't tell you that every time our birthday comes we won't experience some sadness being that now our birthday is the day our grandmother was buried. Even now when our birthday comes I have to make sure I plan fun things to keep my mood from a full depressive spiral down. So, let me give you some advice. Keep those pretty earrings that grandma gave us when we were 12. Wear them on our birthday and just focus on her love of us. Remember her wide smile and warm corn poke. Remember her fierce hugs and crisp fried chicken. Remember he lilac perfume, because every spring when the lilacs bloom everywhere you walk you will be reminded of her. The sweet smell that lingers in the air. Remember all the happy moments and good times and how we always felt loved around her. It does get better! Now, get out of bed and go to school.
Second, I know your focused but you need to lighten up! Come on, your only sixteen and it's alright to have some fun. Yes, you will get that scholarship to go to college and yes, you will be the first to graduate with a degree. So now that you know that, smile more often and don't take everything so seriously!
Thirdly and finally, you are beautiful and your beauty comes from within you. Remember, no one can make you feel inferior unless you allow them! You will never be small and petite so embrace the things you can't change and only focus on the things that you can. One day you will meet someone who will see your beauty that is deep within you and love you for that beauty. Just wait! God has great plans for you and you are special!
Much love and always blessings,
Yourself in twenty years
Documenting my natural hair journey, my life while it's happening, and anything else I want to talk about. Always blessings!
Jen, I loved your letter to your younger self!
ReplyDeleteI have wanted to do this for a while now, ever since I read Oprah had one. LOL.
I am so sorry about your grandma and grandpa, BUT being the Beautiful, successful granddaughter,mother, homemaker, wife and friend you are I know she is pleased. Keep striving daily to make her proud, and keep writing it opens up doors and I love reading.
Thank you for your kind comments!
DeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post sis!! You are right, it's best for us to focus on the things we can change.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
DatFunkyFro
Thank you for tagging me. I really enjoyed this post.
DeleteIsn't it funny how we are both doing self reflections? It's a coincidence but maybe more.
ReplyDeleteMy 16 year old self I'd tell to sit down and stop looking for love in all the wrong places!
Amen to that! A lot of women would benefit from that advice.
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