Letter to Me

If I could write a letter to me
And send it back in time to myself at 17
First I'd prove it's me by saying look under your bed
There's a Skoal can and a Playboy no one else would know you hid
And then I'd say I know it's tough
When you break up after seven months
And yeah I know you really liked her and it just don't seem fair
All I can say is pain like that is fast and it's rare

And oh you got so much going for you going right
But I know at 17 it's hard to see past Friday night
She wasn't right for you
And still you feel like there's a knife sticking out of your back
And you're wondering if you'll survive
You'll make it through this and you'll see
You're still around to write this letter to me

At the stop sign at Tomlinson and Eighth
Always stop completely don't just tap your breaks
And when you get a date with Bridgett make sure the tank is full
On second thought forget it that one turns out kinda cool
Each and every time you have a fight
Just assume you're wrong and dad is right
And you should really thank Mrs. Brinkman
She spent so much extra time
It's like she sees the diamond underneath
And she's polishin' you 'til you shine

And oh you got so much going for you going right
But I know at 17 it's hard to see past Friday night
Tonight's the bonfire rally
But you're staying home instead because if you fail Algebra
Mom and dad will kill you dead
Trust me you'll squeak by and get a C
And you're still around to write this letter to me

You've got so much up ahead
You'll make new friends
You should see your kids and wife
And I'd end by saying have no fear
These are nowhere near the best years of your life

I guess I'll see you in the mirror
When you're a grown man
P.S. go hug Aunt Rita every chance you can

And oh you got so much going for you going right
But I know at 17 it's hard to see past Friday night
I wish you'd study Spanish
I wish you'd take a typing class
I wish you wouldn't worry, let it be
I'd say have a little faith and you'll see

If I could write a letter to me

As I listen to this song and the lyrics, I have often wondered what I would write in my letter to me and today as I blog about it, I still really don't know..Would I warn myself not to date certain people? Would I tell myself to do something differently? I know one thing would probably be to have spent more time with loved one's that I've lost. As I look back at my life (especially the teen age years) I know I made a lot of mistakes but who doesn't as a teenager? If we don't make mistakes as teenagers, how do we learn to become responsible adults? (as if that's even possible right?) I know as I look back I should have done a few things differently, chose this guy over that guy, paid more attention to people who were really trying hard to be there for me, etc. I can't change it now, I don't need to dwell on it.. Those things I did, decisions I made, are all part of who I am today.
So instead of writing a letter to me, I guess I could look at this as writing a letter to "mini" me.. My Kid!!! Can I warn him ahead of time what it will be like? Can I keep him from having his heart broken? Making the wrong decisions? Help him pick the right girl over the wrong one? Remind him what it's like to do something really stupid and get caught by the cops? Can I do that? Can I keep him from "experiencing" life? Making mistakes? Doing stupid teenage things? Part of me (the MOMMY part) of course wants to to all this but the "inner child" part of me who really had fun as a teenager (for the most part) wants him to have these experiences. I will be there for him when he does. I will tell him things won't be easy. I will stand on the sidelines but step in when necessary. However, there are a few things from my teenage years, that I don't want him to experience but I do want him to be able to look back on it someday like I am today and remember his friends, the things they did and hopefully even still be friends with some of them.

Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought.”

Kristi