If I Could Write a Letter to Me

I read a blog earlier today and the writer did a really neat post on what she would tell herself if she could write a letter and go back in time and give to herself at 20. Then I got to thinking about that Brad Paisley song, "Letter to Me" and I felt inspired to follow suit. First the song...you have to go HERE because youtube won't let me embed it into this post. Then think about it. What would you tell yourself? And sister #4, you may have to pick a different age, because, well, you're twenty now.

Here goes...

Dear Martha,

It's hard to believe, but you're 31 right now, and I am you. It's been a hell of a ride so far, kid. Believe me when I say YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE IN FOR. I've got a few things (or twenty) to tell you, so pay attention. Put down whatever damn book you're wanting to read instead and focus. Really, it'll be worth it.

1. When your acting teacher tells you that he thinks you should go on the open auditions for that new soap opera, do it. Find the $236 for airfare to New York and just do it. You'll spend the rest of your life wondering if you don't. I know it's hard to believe that you would voluntarily take an acting class, especially so close to the end of your college career, but you will, and you'll do well. Maybe a little too well.

2. Pre-med really isn't for you. Stop wondering if you should have gone into medicine.

3. Don't waste your time or money applying to a bunch of graduate schools. Go with your gut. It was right and you won't be sorry.

4. Get moving on that novel. I know it's a secret wish and you don't really think you have what it takes, but I'm pretty sure that at the moment of completion, you'll be more satisfied with yourself than you've ever been in your whole life.

5. Stay friends with Tony. If you don't, it'll be one of the biggest regrets of your life and I know how bad you are at dealing with regrets. He's a good friend...and he was the first guy who saw the person you wanted to be. He saw that good in you before you ever even knew it was there.

6. Listen to dad when he tells you to get your FOID and to know how to use a gun. This is not because you're a violent person in any way, shape or form or because you have a secret desire to be a gun-toting hottie. It's because you'll be spending a lot of time home alone during some bad times and there will be more than one incident when you're worried about how fast you can dial 911 when an un-friendly and un-invited someone is right outside your door. Trust me on this.

7. Go to church a little more. Those peaceful moments with God will be more valuable than you can even begin to imagine. And you will find peace, I promise. You'll also find that it's the one place where you don't have to impress anybody. God accepts you as you are and He wants you to accept yourself in the same way.

8. Drink a lot of cranberry juice starting NOW. AZO will be coming out with cranberry tablets. Take those, too. Don't ask, just do it. And don't let the doctor give you any sulfa drugs.

9. Find a good therapist sooner. The first time you think you need help, do it. Don't wait.

10. Don't worry so much about your boobs. They'll get bigger. Way bigger than you want. Enjoy the B cup you're in, because the D cup is way, way overrated. And don't worry so much about your butt, hips, thighs and belly. In a few more years, they'll be stretched and sagging in ways you never thought possible.

11. Tell the truth about what happened.

12. Randy, Dave and Keith will all let you down, but date them anyway. It'll teach you a lot when it comes to matters of the heart.

13. You're going to get to know three very different men who share the same name. Make sure you take the time to think about each of them and what they have to offer (and what you see yourself offering them) before you commit to anything.

14. Stop eating after 8pm. It will develop into your absolute worst habit later if you don't.

15. Be ruthless with the past. You'll exhaust yourself if you keep wondering what you should have done instead.

16. It's not walking away if you're walking toward something else. Stop second-guessing yourself.

17. All the things you always swore you'd never do? Yeah...all done, kiddo. Maybe not always done well, but still done. Take your time doing them, okay?

18. Travel. A lot. You'll be sorry if you don't. And invest in a good digital camera sooner so you can take awesome pictures on your trips.

19. Honey, take better care of your hands, or else by the time you're 30, your hands will look 40. Same goes with your cute little feet. Work a manicure and pedicure into your budget every two months. It'll be so worth it.

20. Don't stop hugging. It's part of who you are, and by stopping, you'll lose touch with the part of yourself that you always liked best.

It may seem cryptic right now, but just trust me, okay? I know trust isn't your strong suit and things will happen that will lead you to being even less trustful than you are now, but you need to trust me on all of this. I haven't steered you wrong yet. I'll be seeing you...