A letter from July 12th, 2020

Dear Future Self, Remember in high school when your guidance counselor told you that you weren’t “college material.” Don’t forget that feeling of doubt, because that doubt guided you to accomplish things you may have not accomplished otherwise. Also don’t forget how a teacher’s words can influence a child many years later. I bet as you read this, you are laughing at what it took to earn this degree. You switched teaching positions, raised two kids, taught from home, and even did majority of homework in your car in a school parking lot, thanks to a pandemic that closed schools. The fear that came with an unknown virus, the crowds of people in stores fighting over toilet paper, and the many months you had to go without seeing your mom. This master degree was no joke, I mean you started your degree at Silver Lake College that actually closed while trying to obtain this degree. What an experience, but you didn’t give up. Right now I write this with Leo sitting in his shark pajamas holding his stuffed dragon on one side and Athena with an arm full of scrunches on the other. Lulu is a kitten chasing a ball on the living room floor and Mickey Mouse club is being played in the background. Don’t worry, you took time to give the kids extra hugs today. At this point I bet the kids don’t need you the way they do now. Try to remember that it is okay. Smile at the memories and be glad for that you got to experience their childhood, try not to reflect too much on what you miss about them being small. Take time to go on a trip. A real trip. Bring the kids on an airplane and see the world. You have only been on a real trip once and it has been over a decade. Your family deserves it. Athena wants to see Florida and that is the perfect destination. Your dad passed when you are so young, remember that life is precious and memories need to be built before it is too late. I hope your mom is still around and if she is, take the time to be with her. Also stop putting your marriage last, work at it every day. Finally, stop being so hard on yourself! No one is perfect. Ask yourself: Are you putting God first? What are you doing to make this world a better place? Sincerely Emmie