A letter from August 23rd, 2020

Dear Future 5 Year Older Crisel, How are you!? How have you been!? You’re 32! Wow! You’re in your 30s now! How is Ishmael!? How is your marriage!? How many babies do y’all have now!? Did you end up starting to have children at the 5 year anniversary mark or at 30!? Was your first baby a girl!? It was, wasn’t it!? Vale (or Vail), she’s beautiful right? I can’t wait to meet her & the rest of my babies! How many books have you published!? Did you continue doing just poetry!? Or just did you go into children’s books? Did you write your memoir & all the other book ideas you had!? Have you won any awards for your writing? Have you made more art? Do you illustrate your own books? Do you have an Etsy shop where you sell your handmade wreaths, crafts, & jewelry!? Have you learned how to sow & make clothes & pillows & dolls/teddy bears!? Do you cook & bake more often? Do you have more followers on Instagram & TikTok!? Are they still even a thing!? Do you have your own writing/art office/studio/space? Is it your full time job now!? Do you make money from it!? I can’t wait to see all the books & art & crafts, etc you’ve made! Do you & Ishmael still go to marriage counseling or do y’all fight less often? Are y’all even closer & love each other more than before? I can’t wait to see how he is as a dad! He’s amazing at it right? How is my fur baby Eilish? He’s 5 years old now right!? Still playful & doing parkcore? Haha. How is my beautiful Sayri Love? Is she still doing music? She’s about to be a teenager! 13! Wow! My goodness! Time flies! She’s in middle school now right? Are you & Ishmael helping her prepare for high school & her music career? Are you still helping her with her entrepreneurship endeavors!? Have y’all published books together!? Has she put out songs & albums!? Where do y’all live now!? In a home near White Rock Lake or on land that y’all bought in a custom made home? Did y’all end up living in Paris, France for at least a month-a year? Have y’all traveled around the world, including Mexico? How are your parents? Do you have a better relationship with them? Have they gone to marriage & individual counseling? How is your dad-in-love & sister-in-love & their families? Have you gotten into helping domestic violence women & children? What about black & brown communities financial literacy? I’m so excited for you & I’m so proud of you! I love you & you’re glowing & radiant as ever! Looking & being more of the woman you’ve always wanted to be & being that person you needed as a little girl to others! Keep putting God first & learning more about Him & His word & His creation & wonder! So much love, Your present self, Crisel Sayeli