Dear Rossana!
Dear Rossana!
I know you're only fourteen, but believe me, if you take what I'm about to tell you to heart, you're going to live a happier life.
Life is not going to be a bowl of cherries. It is going to have many ups and downs. But don't worry, those downs will make you strong and add depth to the awesome person you already are.
You're not allowed to date; but then you already know that. Your parents are, after all, very overprotective. And you're going to miss prom. Also, the Love of your high school life won't be in your life long. All these things are going to really hurt you, especially the thing about your high school Love, but guess what...you're going to be fine. You will recover. When you get older, you'll get to watch a lot of high school movies and your favorites will become Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink. They still are! I mean, come on, how can you not love Jake Ryan? He can make up for any missed prom, right?
You will fall in love 5 times!
Number One, you'll leave behind in high school, but you'll never forget him.
Number Two, you'll marry and divorce. You will, however, have your firstborn from that marriage and he's going to be amazing. You will be close throughout your lives and he and his family will eventually end up living right next door. Literally! By the way, you're going to be an awesome grandma and your little granddaughter, Sophia, will visit you every day. Get ready to play with fairy dolls. They're her favorite. Your grandson, Ben, will take your fitness classes at the YMCA. You don't know it yet, but your love of exercising and staying fit will come in handy later on. Yes, you will have a job as a fitness instructor at the YMCA. Congrats!
Number Three, is going to ghost you! But it's OK. Despite the pain, he will lead you to...
Number Four, you'll share much passion with, but the relationship will not last. Eventually you'll become best friends, and then one day, he will die at the young age of 49. And then there's...
Number Five! Congratulations on your 32nd year anniversary this July 4th! You are married to your best friend.
Remember when, as a tween you used to write little stories? Guess what? You will write The Healing Alphabet, 26 Empowering Ways to Enrich Your Life. You'll even do a book signing at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, CA. You're not famous, but that's not what you're after. You want to be able to help a lot of people feel more empowered and motivated!
And because you care so much about people, you will become a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and use your knowledge and wisdom to makes lives better.
When you have your second son, you will learn about patience. Here's the thing, he will make you worry all the time with some reckless behavior. Nothing bad ever really happens, so DON'T LOSE ANY SLEEP. He's going to be OK and grow into a kind and loving man. He will not crash or kill anyone because he's been drinking. What can I say, he's got a lot of angels looking out for him.
Here are some important points:
1) Anger is useless (most of the time). Don't waste your time. You do get very excited at times; it's that Latin temper, I suppose, but throughout the years you'll learn it's futile. You will learn the benefits of staying calm. You really start getting really good at this in your late 50s and 60s.
2) All the "bad" things that happen will come and GO. You'll be OK. Trust me. I'm here now, at 61, doing just fine, grateful and happy.
3) DON'T WORRY!!! All the things you worried about never came to pass. And the unexpected chaos that did show up, came, went, and made you even stronger and wiser.
4) Significant friends will come and go. Bless the ones that leave, and enjoy the ones who want to share your life.
There are many other things I'd like to say, but how do you fit an entire life into a short letter? The most important thing to remember is that your life is made up of moments. Make every one of them count. We never know how many we have left.
I love you!
Warmly,
Your Future You