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Soul Pancake is one of my favorite youtube channels. I recently found a segment entitled "Talk to Your Ten Year Old Self" while browsing their collection of clips. That coupled with a recent visit with a former 5th grade classmate about nicknames were the catalysts for this letter.
Dear Jennifer,
How are you? I am fine.
Hee hee. I remember that is always how you start your letters, right? So I decided to do the same. I wish we could have this conversation in person but since we can't, I am going to write it as if I am talking to you, okay?
So, you are 10 years old. The whole double digits thing is kind of a big deal. That means you have just finished up 4th grade with Miss Nelson and you are on your way to 5th grade with Mrs. Jensen.
Hey, I know this year was rough. Your mom and dad just got divorced. That sucks. And Miss Nelson was kind of mean to you. And that was kind of hard. But you know what? It gets better. Way better. Mrs. Jensen is really nice and so is Mrs. Guffey. They are kind and caring and will make you feel special in 5th grade. Remember that.
5th grade can be kind of tough with friends and stuff. You will feel like every kid who is somebody will get his or her own cool nickname. You may not have one and you may not be a dodgeball goddess. But remember, you are smart and a good friend and you are loved. And by the way, now that you are an adult, no one asks you what kind of dodgeball player you were in 5th grade. Seriously. And if they do, they are dumb.
I'm not going to give you a bunch of advice because I know that you have to experience everything on your own and make your own decisions. That is how you will grow and learn. And you have a pretty amazing life so I wouldn't want to see you change anything! I want you to instead focus on what you do well and keep doing it!
First, you have TONS of supportive adults in your life who really, really care about you. Continue to seek out those caring people and spend time with them! Some of them you haven't even met yet but when you do, you will know! Right now, other than your mom and teachers, you have Father Ken, Grandma and Grandpa Ankeny, Grandma and Grandpa Skahill and your aunts and uncles. They are always there to help you or just hang out, whenever you need it.
Second, it's okay to feel however you are feeling. No one should ever tell you that your feelings are wrong. Just remember you are strong and you can get through anything. You just need to keep working hard and spending time with people who care. You can get better at ANYTHING you want to - as long as you work hard. This includes volleyball or running or science or piano. Just work hard. Really, even science.
Third, God loves you. He loves you SO much. There are going to be times when you don't feel like any man loves you. Just remember that He does. No matter what. And He forgives you. Everyone makes mistakes and you just need to fix them. And truly be sorry. And you will be. Church is really boring, I know. But pray to God and read the Bible and you will be pretty good. Here is a verse to check out, okay? Proverbs 3: 5-6. Seriously. This one is important.
Fourth, be kind to your sister. She deserves it. Even when you don't think so.
Fifth, you really aren't an animal person. And that's okay. Maybe skip getting the cat.
Sixth, yes, Duran Duran is cool. Cyndi Lauper, too. With Air Supply and Boy George, the verdict is still out. Maybe not so much.
Seventh, you still love to blow the seeds out of milkweed pods. You continue to delight watching them take flight. Don't ever stop.
Eighth, choose friends who are kind. Choose friends who are kind. Choose friends who are kind. You deserve that, as does every human being. It is not okay for others to treat you in a hurtful or demeaning way.
Ninth, spelling is really not that important. Yes, it's great that you can spell - it will save you some time from needing to look words up in the dictionary. But get over Mrs. Focht pronouncing "mature" like "matour" - you only missed it on the pre-test.
Tenth, keep reading. All the time. It grows your brain even more. And keep listening to and loving music. It grows your brain, too. And try new things, even if it is just one time. That will also grow your brain.
Finally, all of your experiences (the sum) will shape who you become (the good, the bad and the ugly). And oh, by the way, I mean "ugly" figuratively not like literally. While you may not love every minute of it, enjoy the ride. It gets amazingly better every year.
I love you.
Hugs,
Jennifer (your older self)
