Letter To Maggie The Grown Up

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Got the best piece of mail today. My high school guidance counselor sent me a letter I wrote to my adult self.  Did anyone else have to do this? I had forgotten all about it. This is apparently how I saw myself 7/8 years ago. Kind of funny, a little bit sad and sometimes surprisingly poignant for a 16/17(?) year old. I was right about a few things, others not so much. Retyped to the best of my abilities..sloppy, childish writing and all:


Maggie,
Wow, older and wiser now, right? How does it feel? You'll probably be young at heart forever. I bet you’re still a firecracker and I’m sure your big mouth is still getting you in trouble. Especially since you can drink legally now. Are you still saying “hella cool?” If so stop it, you’re too old. I’m sure you’re living somewhere abroad: England or Ireland? How’s rugby going? Are you still terrified of being a forward? Don’t be. You’re going to be one of those players who can play anywhere she is put. If you want to be good, you’re going to be  fantastic, you’re the only one holding you back, Mookie. Do people still call you Mookie?
Don’t give up on acting. You love it and you are damn good at it.
And your love life? Still dating the quarterback or have you moved on to some other jock? Maybe an artist? I’m sure you’ve been in love by now, maybe once. If not you will fall in love eventually and stop being so guarded and mean to guys, there are people you can trust, but it’s going to take a while before you learn that. If you don't you will probably be miserable and lonely. Can you marry your work? If so, you probably would.
I’m sure you are still writing everyday. Poems about no one and short stories on the back of candy rappers and on napkins at restaurants. Keep on writing,you're  gonna get paid for it someday. Still reading Shakespeare obsessively?
Right now your favorite color is green, your favorite book is Catcher in the Rye and Sammy is your best friend, your favorite food is mac and cheese and your favorite rugby player is Jonny Wilkinson. He's pretty hot. Your best traits are your energetic personality, ability to get along with all sorts of people and your compassion. Your worst traits are your quick temper, your compassion (sometimes it’s too much) and how little you think of yourself. You are 5’5”, brownish red hair  and you  have a massive scar on your left leg from rugby, is it still there? You laugh when people say your greatest achievement was being prom queen and I’m sure you don’t tell anyone now. Probably embarrassing for you

My advice to you is to always be yourself and learn to love yourself more. Always make time for fun, no matter how old you get and don’t forget what it felt like to be young. Don’t forget your first kisses, the way bluemoon ice cream tastes, Jeremy's cologne that makes your head spin, or the way you feel surrounded by your friends and family that love you. The worst thing you could ever lose is your smile.


If there is anything you should remember it's that you are much braver than you think you are. You are going to do big things, Mookie. Kid you’ll move mountains!

Love,
           Maggie 

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