A letter to myself at 18 - ZEFRANK.COM

FJeff · 01-08-2007, 04:10 PM

Dear FJeff @ 18:

Enjoy life while you can. When you are 19, you will dive in front of a falling boom-pipe to save Jean. It will change everything, forever, but you regret nothing. Not even for a second.

You will spend over a month fighting for your life in ICU. You will be diagnosed with a blood-disorder you have had your whole life. You will have several strokes because of it which will complicate your injury. Christmas night you flat-line, and no one comes to visit you when you are revived. Make sure your game-boy is within reach. It keeps you from giving up. You'll also have to kiss that ivy league stuff goodbye, but don't think about that now. Enjoy learning. Before you leave for the last time you meet your husband, and he is everything you secretly want in a man. Take comfort in that.

You do walk away a better person. You will never again take for granted the precious dignity of using the bathroom by yourself. You will have more meaningful conversations with people over seventy from this point on. (and without the morphine, honey you wouldnt have quit smoking for LOVE OR MONEY and you know that.)

Re college: The short hair doesnt work on you, and working 3 jobs as a full time student doesn't work either. Even for you. On your 19th birthday: Your instincts are right: grab. the. gun. Grab it, and don't let go.

Stop trying to parent your brother.

Cheating on John is an important life lesson; don't worry about your integrity. You never cheat again, and Damn, it was fun for awhile, wasn't it? (psst. cheating is your subconcious' way of breaking up so you dont have to)

When you are 20, you think long and hard about adopting a violently abused traumatized mess of a huge lab-mutt. You will have literally, no money for food, but please, take him home with you. You share ramen noodles for a year before finding real work and he toughs it out with you. He keeps you warm when you shiver, and he thanks you daily for his life till the end of his days. He is your best friend, and he is indeed flawlessly house trained. (Oh, and Kids do weird things. When they rainbow-stripe that dog with your hair dye, don't worry. He's fine. Laugh. It is very, very funny.)

People laugh now for the SPF routine, but they look old now and YOU missy still get kicked out of Dave and Buster's. 30's not so bad when your skin care habits are as preventative as yours. People still think youre 17 in the right lighting. (When Rei mocks you because "manic-panic makes you look 15" you take that and you run with it. Go you. Natural shades are for old folks. Punk Rock for Life.)

Keep wearing a bra like it's life support. You'll be glad you did.

Love,
Yourself

P.S. You're still awesome.

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01-08-2007, 04:10 PM	#11
FJeff Procrastination Olympiad Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 31	Dear FJeff @ 18: Enjoy life while you can. When you are 19, you will dive in front of a falling boom-pipe to save Jean. It will change everything, forever, but you regret nothing. Not even for a second. You will spend over a month fighting for your life in ICU. You will be diagnosed with a blood-disorder you have had your whole life. You will have several strokes because of it which will complicate your injury. Christmas night you flat-line, and no one comes to visit you when you are revived. Make sure your game-boy is within reach. It keeps you from giving up. You'll also have to kiss that ivy league stuff goodbye, but don't think about that now. Enjoy learning. Before you leave for the last time you meet your husband, and he is everything you secretly want in a man. Take comfort in that. You do walk away a better person. You will never again take for granted the precious dignity of using the bathroom by yourself. You will have more meaningful conversations with people over seventy from this point on. (and without the morphine, honey you wouldnt have quit smoking for LOVE OR MONEY and you know that.) Re college: The short hair doesnt work on you, and working 3 jobs as a full time student doesn't work either. Even for you. On your 19th birthday: Your instincts are right: grab. the. gun. Grab it, and don't let go. Stop trying to parent your brother. Cheating on John is an important life lesson; don't worry about your integrity. You never cheat again, and Damn, it was fun for awhile, wasn't it? (psst. cheating is your subconcious' way of breaking up so you dont have to) When you are 20, you think long and hard about adopting a violently abused traumatized mess of a huge lab-mutt. You will have literally, no money for food, but please, take him home with you. You share ramen noodles for a year before finding real work and he toughs it out with you. He keeps you warm when you shiver, and he thanks you daily for his life till the end of his days. He is your best friend, and he is indeed flawlessly house trained. (Oh, and Kids do weird things. When they rainbow-stripe that dog with your hair dye, don't worry. He's fine. Laugh. It is very, very funny.) People laugh now for the SPF routine, but they look old now and YOU missy still get kicked out of Dave and Buster's. 30's not so bad when your skin care habits are as preventative as yours. People still think youre 17 in the right lighting. (When Rei mocks you because "manic-panic makes you look 15" you take that and you run with it. Go you. Natural shades are for old folks. Punk Rock for Life.) Keep wearing a bra like it's life support. You'll be glad you did. Love, Yourself P.S. You're still awesome.