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Dear Dawn,
You are such a sad child. Would you believe me if I told you that this too shall pass?
Now, about the acne... stop worrying...it will clear up. And yes, boys will want to date you. That debilitating shyness you suffer from will be a thing of the past. In fact, there will be times when you'll wish you had kept your mouth shut. (Hard to believe right now... but trust me on this one!)
Unfortunately your people pleasing attitude will take a little longer to change. People will use and abuse you for quite a number of years before you finally learn to say "no".... but you will get there.
You will love and you will be loved. You will have your heart broken and break a few along the way. You will discover there are many forms of love... the love of a man and your family... but nothing will prepare you for the love you'll have for your only child.
You know how Dad is always saying, "what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger"? You may think he's crazy now, but they'll be the words you'll live by. It saddens me to tell you that you'll suffer the loss of five family members - three of which will be in a short space of time. With each passing you will find an inner strength that you didn't know you possessed and you will move on. But with the devastation of that fifth beloved... you will stumble and fall. Your soul will be filled with a darkness and rage unlike anything you have ever known. It is during this time that an idea to start a blog will spark and you will name it 'Totally Pissed Off'... a name you will live to regret. As the months pass you will discover the same emptiness, pain and utter loneliness echoed back to you in the words of other bloggers and you will come to understand that you were never alone.
I can't promise life will always be easy but I can say that you will find joy and laughter in the strangest of places. Your sense of humor... (odd as it may be) will see you through many of the rough spots. You will find yourself seeking out the company of those who "get you" and can make you laugh. As cliche as it sounds...laughter really is the best medicine! You are so much stronger than you know... but you'll have to discover that for yourself.
One more thing... I know Mom is telling you to stop worrying about your size and that you aren't finished growing yet. Sorry... you'll be lucky if you gain another inch in height... and as for the boob thing... well let's just say she was wrong about that too ;) On the upside you discovered it really didn't matter anyway.
Take care Dawn... I'll see you in a few years!
Much Love,
Your Future Self
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