A Letter To My Future Self

April 25, 2011 By Donna

A lot of people have written letters to their past selves here on A Martha Heart. I’m taking a different angle and wrote a letter to my future self.

Dear 42 year old Donna,

So, now you’re over the hill. How’s the hair? Are you completely grey yet? I’ll bet you just have a small streak of brown on your left side instead of the streak of grey on your right side.

Right about now you have a 15 year old daughter and an 11 year old son. It’s possible that between puberty and teen-hood that you all may not be getting along so well. So, it is important right now that you remember a few things and bits of advice you received from moms that you trust. Things that you always have said you would do, especially where your daughter is concerned.

Keep talking. Don’t allow the lines of communication to close down just because she rolls her eyes at you and finds being around you to be the most repulsive thought ever.

Don’t make anything off limits. Believe it or not, you do want her to tell you and ask you things. You may think, “I’d rather not know this” but you really do. Really.

Be the parent. You don’t have to give her a choice as to whether she is going to spend time with you. Be the parent and spend time with her. Force the issue if you must.

Remember what each of them were like just a few years ago. Remember how Sarah used to just impress you so with her knowledge of the Bible and things of God. Remember how she used to love to play outside, climb trees and hated the thought of shaving. Remember how Nathan could always make you melt like buttah with those blue eyes and eyelashes of death. Remember how he used to love to cuddle and snuggle in your lap first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

And most of all, remember how badly you have wanted grandchildren for the longest time. If you kill your kids now, there’s no chance.

Hang on, dear one. These teen years will be a wild ride, but the reward is coming!