A letter from September 12th, 2020

Dear Future Me, It's you! well actually it's your past self. Remember doing this? I'm writing this on the 12th September 2020 at 12:39am. By the time you're reading this it should be the year 2025. Crazy that isn't it? You've probably forgotten all about this (well I hope you have, SURPRISE!!!) Let me tell you what's currently going on in your life and where I want to be by the time your reading this. The year 2020... This has certainly been a year like no other. Kobe Bryant died, all of Australia was on fire and the one you probably haven't forgotten is COVID-19 (*****). A worldwide pandemic that went from zero to a hundred real quick. I remember first hearing about Coronavirus and thinking nothing of it. Oh boy was I wrong. The world went into lockdown and for the first time in Scotland's history the exams weren't carried out. Thank God for that, we both know that if those exams happened it was gonna be a bumpy road. the economy isn't looking that great and I have no idea what the world will be like by the time you're reading this. Hopefully the world is back to "normality" (the thought of the world going back to normal sounds like a dream at this point.) You've been dating Anna for the past 2 years. An absolutely amazing person. She is a gem. I'm hoping you're still with her Ryan. I know the journey hasn't always been smooth sailing and maybe she's gotten better at texting you back quicker in 2025. Even though at the time I'm writing this the relationship is still "young" we are an incredibly strong duo that I believe could flourish and be happy with one another. I don't know what I would do without her even though she can annoy ya sometimes. Now it's time to talk about your future (well now it's the present for you) I'm currently in S6 doing my last year in Hermitage Academy. As of right now I want to join the MOD's or the police (preferably the MOD's). However when I leave school I would like to work for a year or two and do some travelling before I join the MOD's. You need to live a little man, experience new things, meet new people, see the world. You only live once man. Why waste the limited time we have on this earth and enjoy it while lasts. When it comes to travelling I'm not sure how you're gonna achieve it. What I mean by this is how you do it. It looks like it's gonna be a tad difficult to get someone to come with you if you want another person on your journey. I would love Anna, Jarvis and Findlay to come on my travels but I know that's not gonna happen. Most likely is Anna and Jarvis, but it still looks unlikely. I don't want to leave Anna by herself if I go on travels without her as it would result in us being apart for a time and I also feel it may be unfair if I go travelling while she is studying to be a doctor (this is if she still pursues her dream) it may be possible for Anna to join my journey but I'm not sure how I'm gonna do that. I'll have a talk with her when I get the chance. First places that come to mind to travel to is Australia. I need to go back there in my lifetime. The Aussies over there are expecting you back and you need to see them. Maybe even go to Asia or parts of Europe. Who knows by now? Well... you might when reading this haha. Gary is joining the army and he is going to his basic training next month. I wish that everything goes well for him. Gary deserves nothing more than the best. I'm glad I can call him my "Big Bro". We did get a new family member this year with Woody. Amie and Justin are still getting on just fine in their house and they made the extension in their garden as well this year. Mum is doing okay, she is still working for Enable and I think she just takes each day as it comes. The situation with Gran's dementia has made things really difficult and it saddens me just thinking about it. Mum is watching her mum fade away and Papa is watching the women who's been his wife for 60 years fade away. I love Papa so much and I would do almost anything for him but it upsets me in the way Papa acts. We all want to help him but his old ways get in the way of this and he tries to pretend that everything is fine and that he doesn't need help. There is a good chance that by the time you're reading this that Gran has unfortunately passed away. She will always have a special place in my heart even though the dementia has had a devastating affect on her and this family. It can be a tad hard to think of her without having dementia but I still do remember the good times. I know writing this that the future is unpredictable and there are gonna be many obstacles to pass on the way to what you want to achieve Ryan. However, you can do it Ryan. I believe in myself that if I put my mind to it anything is possible. One thing I do ask you to do is to enjoy life Ryan, don't hold things against people for no reason, like our dad did. Speaking of him I have no idea what our relationship with him will be in 5 years. I feel conflicted about him. Of course we want him in our lives and he has nothing, absolutely **** all. We are the only thing he has and he loves nothing more in this earth than us. However, what he did is almost unforgettable and has changed not just our life but mums life, Gary's life etc. I hope that when you're reading this that your goals and aspirations have not only been dreams but instead they have become reality. I believe in you and you're gonna do amazing Ryan. I'll see you in 5 years time my friend, Best of luck. Ryan.