Dear Middle School Self,
Please don't be mad that I'm telling you this stuff- as I think it is fair for you to know in advance. Freshman year will be a hard, emotional year where you will lose more than you can now imagine- as you are currently living the perfect life, in your eyes at least. Just try to hold on.
So Mom and Dad are going to get divorced- Mom will move during the first week of your freshman year. The perfect American family is supposed to stick together- it isn't normal for parents to get divorced. You'll think of Jack Kerouac's quote "This is the story of America, everybody's doing what they think they're supposed to do." And a broken family is not part of the story of America. American families are "supposed" to stick together as a unit. This is not the story of America- this is the story of a broken home.
Although it seems at that time that your life is falling apart, listen to your friends when they tell you that you are not the only person that goes through this. You'll think to yourself, other peoples moms walk out on them for some guy? Like I said, hold on. You're going to need your mom this year so don't be too hard on her- she deserves to be happy in her marriage and life too. But this year is only beginning.
In mid December, Grandpa will pass away of cancer on mom's birthday- she needs you.
In the beginning of February, Kendra will get into a fatal ski accident- you'll become even closer to your group of friends because you need each other. But you also need mom, even if you slammed the door in her face the night before and told her that you would never forgive her.
While in the Caribbean, you will find out in one day that Grandma Stella passed away the night before of natural causes and Ben passed away this morning of complications with his wisdom teeth surgery. And even though you're on vacation with dad- you'll immediately call mom. You may have told her that you would ever talk to her again before you left, but now you need her.
Just when you think it can't get any worse, Coach Steve, your soccer coach for the last six years, will pass away and you, along with the entire seacoast community, will mourn his passing.
An hour after Steve's funeral, while at a friends house, dad will call you- Aunt Anne has been found dead in her Connecticut home. Your friends, who you don't even know right now in middle school, will hold you while you cry until mom and dad both come to pick you up.
I'm sorry to throw all of that at you but I think its fair for you to know- I had no warning for any of these events.
And just so you know, it is going to suck. But honey, it gets better. There are variations of the story of America so don't focus on the fact that your life isn't turning out the same as your friends lives. I know it sounds like bullshit but your friends and family will save you- remember to keep them close- even mom. You may hate her at the time, but she couldn't love you any more.
They will save your life. Trust me and hold on. Your entire life is about to change. But also remember, you're not the only kid with divorced parents and not the first person to lose people you love- reach out to friends who can relate- they love you. And so does mom- you need her, even if you don't want to admit it.
Please don't be mad that I'm telling you this stuff- as I think it is fair for you to know in advance. Freshman year will be a hard, emotional year where you will lose more than you can now imagine- as you are currently living the perfect life, in your eyes at least. Just try to hold on.
So Mom and Dad are going to get divorced- Mom will move during the first week of your freshman year. The perfect American family is supposed to stick together- it isn't normal for parents to get divorced. You'll think of Jack Kerouac's quote "This is the story of America, everybody's doing what they think they're supposed to do." And a broken family is not part of the story of America. American families are "supposed" to stick together as a unit. This is not the story of America- this is the story of a broken home.
Although it seems at that time that your life is falling apart, listen to your friends when they tell you that you are not the only person that goes through this. You'll think to yourself, other peoples moms walk out on them for some guy? Like I said, hold on. You're going to need your mom this year so don't be too hard on her- she deserves to be happy in her marriage and life too. But this year is only beginning.
In mid December, Grandpa will pass away of cancer on mom's birthday- she needs you.
In the beginning of February, Kendra will get into a fatal ski accident- you'll become even closer to your group of friends because you need each other. But you also need mom, even if you slammed the door in her face the night before and told her that you would never forgive her.
While in the Caribbean, you will find out in one day that Grandma Stella passed away the night before of natural causes and Ben passed away this morning of complications with his wisdom teeth surgery. And even though you're on vacation with dad- you'll immediately call mom. You may have told her that you would ever talk to her again before you left, but now you need her.
Just when you think it can't get any worse, Coach Steve, your soccer coach for the last six years, will pass away and you, along with the entire seacoast community, will mourn his passing.
An hour after Steve's funeral, while at a friends house, dad will call you- Aunt Anne has been found dead in her Connecticut home. Your friends, who you don't even know right now in middle school, will hold you while you cry until mom and dad both come to pick you up.
I'm sorry to throw all of that at you but I think its fair for you to know- I had no warning for any of these events.
And just so you know, it is going to suck. But honey, it gets better. There are variations of the story of America so don't focus on the fact that your life isn't turning out the same as your friends lives. I know it sounds like bullshit but your friends and family will save you- remember to keep them close- even mom. You may hate her at the time, but she couldn't love you any more.
They will save your life. Trust me and hold on. Your entire life is about to change. But also remember, you're not the only kid with divorced parents and not the first person to lose people you love- reach out to friends who can relate- they love you. And so does mom- you need her, even if you don't want to admit it.