Dear Thirteen-year-old Kimmie,
Growing up is a challenge – especially the teen years. You will face obstacles and tumultuous feelings as you mature. These experiences will not break you, but will instead make you stronger.
Parts of your personality and individuality are already well-formed. You have a deep love of family, leadership skills, and Type 2 Enneagram traits of serving others. You have a deep need for acceptance and always want things to be fair. Other parts of you are still developing. You will learn to step out of your comfort zone and realize the world is much bigger than small town Iowa.
But you have so much to learn and look forward to. Someone will challenge your views and teach you to think for yourself. A teacher will open the way for you to express your thoughts. In just a few years you will meet your soulmate and will build a life together that exceeds your expectations. You will become a mom and a grandma and will travel to wonderful places. Confidence will be gained from all these experiences. There will be tremendous love, joy and comfort; there will be heartbreak and sorrow. This is life.
My advice to you is to be kind. Be open to new ideas and grasp at knowledge in unexpected places. Be grateful for the good things to come and learn from your mistakes. Love fiercely and deeply. And most importantly, give yourself grace.
Love,
Your older self, Ralfie
