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Billy Boy,
I know you don't like to be called that name, because this letter is written by a possible future YOU from 2007. You're not surprised because you believe that time travel and alternate universes are possible. I found a way to slip this letter in one of your "Things of Science" that you enjoy every month. I know you're using your current year of 1953 to dry out, an unusual thing for a 13 year old boy to do. You were a heavy smoker and drinker for a couple of years in California and you didn't like the way that your life was going forward. Nobody in the family knew that you were secretly glad when all of you were uprooted from 12 years in the Bay Area and plunked down in Philadelphia's Main Line, where you're just figuring out how to use the word, "Yo." As you have already guessed, you'll take up smoking and drinking again in the next two years, but I can tell you that I gave them both up many years ago.
Try to remember that anytime you feel as though your life is on a bad track, you can take action to get a new start. I've had to do that a few times. There's no guarantee that you'll become me exactly as I am; you'll have to make the right decisions and have the right luck to get here. I can tell you that I have no regrets and that I am very happy with my life.
The only two things of value that Dad has told you are, "Don't take drugs." and "Virtue is it's own reward." Oops, Dad hasn't told you the second one yet. Wait until you are well into your 30s before deciding if you want to smoke some "loco weed", but don't ever do take any other drug. You are well aware of your Irish and Scotch heritage. Take note of all of the alcoholics on your Irish side and believe that they were never as happy as I am. Watch out, it's in your DNA blood. There is something else important in your heritage that no one has ever told you. Look up "Brigid" on the Internet in the library. Ask the reference librarian to help. You might find a better alternative religion than your Catholicism. I'm a non-practicing Pagan who leans toward Druidry, but you can find your own way. Dad is making you go to public school, so you'll avoid the brainwashing that Catholic schools engage in.
You are lucky to be in one of the best school systems in America: Lower Merion. I think that you already have figured that out. You know that typing course that you're in this year? It's the best course that you'll ever take. You will use your typing skills the rest of your life. You'll get a related surprise on Christmas morning. Remember Mrs. Esherick from last year's English class? You remember her mostly for her interesting chest. (BTW By the way, you won't lose your interest in women's chests, as you sometimes fear.) Remember her nasty rule that any misspelling in a test or homework would cause an "F" grade? That was the best piece of teaching that you'll ever get. You love science, but your best courses will be your English classes where you will learn to love reading. I don't mean Isaac Asimov and your beloved science fiction. I mean Shakespeare and Dickens and authors you haven't met yet. You know the "journals", that you think are so gay weird, that your current English teacher, Mr. Ricker, is trying to get you to do daily? You're going to find keeping a journal to be a very important feature of your future and you will even teach journaling in unforeseen ways. Your problem with writing is that, since you are left-handed, your "normal" brain hemisphere isn't working for you. Learn to use a typewriter, to engage your other hemisphere, for your writing. Ask Mr. Ricker if you can type your journals and tell him why you want to.
In three short years you will meet the love of your life. I still live with her and love her. Your problem is, which girl will it be? I'll tell you this, it won't be any girl that calls you "Billy." Think about it with each girl that you meet, you'll figure it out. I didn't marry that girl for 10 years and I wasn't constantly with her for that time span. The main thing is, don't lose her. She will be your salvation.
Let me caution you about your wild streak. Most people as wild as you can be are in jail, maimed, or headed for an early death. Nobody else in the family is wild like you, so you can't look for guidance there. You are going to have many brushes with the law, so watch out! You've already done a bunch of legendary things and you're kind of proud of them, but think about how each of those incidents could have gone sour.
Let me give you some more advice. Recently, I listed my guiding principles. They are: Duty, Loyalty, and Charity. Let them be your guide too. When you reach a tough decision in life, choose the way that will give you most freedom. In spite of that, the military will be in your future, but it won't be for the first time you think about joining.
Another important thing: your brothers and sisters are actually very cool neat people. They're smart and interesting. Try to be friends with them.
Best of luck, Bill. If you come my way, you're going to love the ride.
Sincerely yours, Bill.
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Again, opinions and ideas here are solely those of the writer and not of Third Option Media. Contact the writer if you are interested in discussing this article