A letter from Jun 16th, 2021

Dear FutureMe, Dear (senior) Mads, I hope you are okay, not scared, depressed, anxious, or sad. I know you are very excited to leave and never look back, but I also know that you are sad to move on from your childhood, and the place where you grew up. You are currently 13, and your eighth grade year was not normal. Covid happened and you were online for half of your seventh grade year, and most of your eighth. The purpose of this letter is to write to my older self when I am a senior and graduate again in 2025. (when life should be back to normal) But just remember you are young once, so don't rush it to be an adult. Yes, there are amazing fun things adults can do and that you can't. But don't rush it. Your favorite colors are red, black and teal. Your favorite animals are sloths and dogs. You don't play basketball anymore but you still swim and surf. You and Emilee talk sometimes still, same with seb. Your sister is on her way to becoming a lawyer, and I'm unsure what your brother is doing. You love coffee, drawing, talking to your online friends, and writing. I know that this year (2020-2021) has been awful and you missed out on a normal eighth grade year, but you tried your best throughout everything. You´ve also learned a lot of life lessons. Your grandma has gotten worse with her Progressive SupraNuclear Palsy (but it even says in the name that it slowly gets worse ). You are one of the youngest people in your grade. Currently you have no friends at Wall Intermediate School. You hope to be a pediatrician when you grow up, or anything in the medical field. That has been your dream since you were about 2 years old. You still know nothing about your biological family but one day, you´ll find something out. You graduate on the 23rd of June, 2021. Your next graduation is in 2025. People say you can act older than your age, and that you're an old soul. You´ve learned to survive on your own in school with no help, and no friends. Your favorite songs currently are Sara by We Three, To Build A Home by The Cenematic Orchestra, and Nekketsu by Rise of The Northstar. You stopped playing clarinet, but you still play piano/ukulele and plan on learning guitar. Your writings for someone very young are actually kinda good. I hope during high school everything went ok. I'm sure you have traveled to newer places, and made friends globally. I know that moving to a new school is hard, and learning new things is exciting. I know you might be scared to go to college, leave your own home and parents. But it is exciting for new experiences you may not have had at home. Meeting new people and just the growing up part. I know you will miss the corny jokes, the drawing in class, the hallways, the kids at that school who suck, the coffee runs, the mental breakdowns, the rushing to finish an essay or trying to make it on time to the bus stop. but you pushed through and survived. I know all the sleepless nights, and all the studying for finals and exams will pay off! But I hope you didnt isolate yourself when you could’ve been having fun. School has taught you that it is ok to fail, you just have to get back up, and try your hardest. I hope you made each moment count, whether it was driving, or cheering at school football games, and dances. I know that you may not like the way you look right now, but don't let that take over your life. You shouldn’t care about other people's opinions about yourself. The next few years will have a lot of negativity, but try to not let it affect you. I know you probably felt alone during most of your High School years but that's ok. ( Did you publish a book with all your writings in it yet?) I hope that one day, you will find your real, true, best self. I remember the nights where your head was full of thoughts wondering was it worth it to fight at all. It was worth the fight to keep your friends, and to keep your grades at A’s. To keep wondering how much your life could be changed. I know you must be feeling every emotion possible, but just know that this new chapter of your life will be amazing. I hope you have found the happiness you were looking for and I hope you have keept in contact with those who have changed your life (in a good way). And I hope you still remember all that you have been through because that is what has made you who you are. It has made you an amazing, strong person. But just know that [roblems are not easily solved, confusion is everywhere. And you will realize life isnt like the fary tales you were once told. I know you’ll probably go throught the heartbreak of figuring out what colleges you got into but choose whichever one you think you like the most, and if you don't get into Hopkins then that's ok! I hope you are ready to start the new chapter of your life and I hope you’re content with your life feeling free, independent and smart. I also hope you’re happy not only with life, but also with who you are. I know that moving on is sad but that is a part of life and you are going to learn that you have to move on sometimes.. I know you lost a lot of friends in intermediate but in highschool you will find your group, or at least that's what Theo says lol. (Oh, and did you do the vo-tech program all four years of high school?) I know also that if you make friends, going to college is horrible but I don't have high expectations for that. (lmao sorry but that's the truth..) Just follow your heart and trust your instincts. I hope you remember the good memories, and that you remember the advice you used to give yourself to get through the rough times. People tend to trust you with their personal problems knowing you are honest and trustworthy. I'm sure you will have a breakdown in the car for it is scary to graduate. It will be terrifying and you will feel unsure and lost. You will have to go to Centeral, and the intermediate school to say your goodbye to your favorite teachers and principles. But, you´ve made it through 12 years of the school system. It was hard and rough but you made it! High school is only a small part of your life, so don't let it affect you much whether it was what people said behind your back, or towards your face. One day you will be your unique, normal self. Where you won't be judged and will be considered normal. I hope all of your dreams in life come true. (OHH, AND are Theo, and you still friends? I hope so!) And trust me when I say, it's going to be hell of a ride. Sincerely, The 13 year old you. Madyson