Dear Sweet Sixteen,

There are many things I would like to be: published, award winning, author tops the list. However, there are other things I’d like to be too. I’d like to taller, leaner, with upper body strength. I’d like to be less afraid of scary things, like roller coasters and the ocean. One thing I would never want to be? Sixteen. I would never, ever want to be 16 ever again! Never!

We had a little teen anxiety here yesterday and frankly, I believe that teen girls are far meaner than teen boys. With boy, things were pretty simple. He and his friends got along –or- they shoot each other with Air Soft Pellets. Simple. Effective. End of problem.

Girls are different. They say hurtful things, they cry, they vow they’ll never be friends again. Sigh. Massive eye roll. Groan.

Watching the drama unfold I couldn’t help but remember me at 16. So, I decided to write a letter to my 16-year-old self, cause it’s my blog and I can.

Dear Sweet 16,

Honey, you really need to calm down. Honestly. You take things far too seriously. I know it’s hard to believe, but things are going to turn out pretty good for you.

I wish you’d be nicer to Chris. He’s got problems, problems you don’t know about and he’s doing the best he can with what he’s got. It’s not easy to be mentally handicapped in public high school and he’s the brunt of a lot of jokes. Don’t laugh when the other do. Be the bigger person.

I’d like you to see the guy, you know, THAT guy, for what he really is. He’ll break your heart, trust me on this. I know he’s cute. I know he says and does the right things, but baby, he’s a jerk. Dump him. Dump him now. You’ll thank me later. There’s someone else who’ll come along in a few years. Someone you totally won’t be expecting. Just wait and see.

Dani is your best friend. She is. In a year, things are going to go south for her and she’s going to need you to be supportive. Be the friend you want to be. Don’t worry about what other people think. After high school all that popularity crap is just that, crap.

I know I’m tipping my hand here, but you need to know this, don’t believe every hurtful thing that one family member says. You know who you are and where you are going, it’s great, be true to yourself and your dreams. Don’t let anyone steal them away.

And one last thing, I know you wonder about God a lot. I know you want to know if He’s real, if He cares about you and what you do. I can still hear the thoughts that bumble around in your head about life and death. In a few years you are going to figure this God thing out and it‘s all going to make sense. Hang in there, you’re gonna love Jesus in a way you never thought imaginable.

I’ll see you in a few years and I don’t want to scare you but, you’re going to look more like your mom than you want to. Take care of yourself now and avoid some of the hassle later babe.

~Me