A letter from Aug 05, 2023

Dear Future Raffaella, this is the second letter I write to myself. So now you’re 18 huh. Guess that must be exciting. I can’t immagine what life is for you, what being an adult feels like. I can’t immagine what having your life figured out is like. Maybe you don’t either. Maybe all you know is that now you can legally smoke, drink and drive. Maybe you are looking forward to being 25, maybe even 30. I know I don’t. It’s funny how right now I say my life is terrible and I have no authority, but deep down I wish I’d never grow up. I’m scared, *so scared*, of what could happen. Two years and a half don’t seem like a lot, but they could truly turn my life upside down. ****, I might not even have a life. I could have died in a tragic accident, or I could be in the happiest relationship ever; with plans and dreams that I currently don’t have. Life is like a rollercoaster and that scares me ********. Are my friends still there? Am I even happy? I do not know. It’s a mystery I’ll uncover only with time. I’m failing to appreciate the little things in life, I hope you aren’t. Have you gone outside and admired the beautiful nature that surrounds you, the birds performing a beautiful melody, the pleasure of sitting in front of the burning wood to protect yourself from the cold winter? I don’t know you, but you know me. I hope you’ll write back to calm the mind of a terrified little 16-year-old girl that just wishes to do the right thing. I hope you can look back and realize what I’m doing wrong and simply do it better. I suspect you have a lover, though I might be wrong. If you do, remember to choose somebody that respects you. Not only they should, but you too. Respect and love yourself. Will you do that for me? I wish you’ll always stay true to yourself, - little old me.