Note to self

This morning at church I sat behind me.  You know, the 16 year old me.  The one at the end of the row of teenage girls.  The one that stands wither her arms folded across her chest as her friends lift their hands in praise.  The one wearing baggier clothes than the others.  The one sitting right by the boys.  Yep.  She was me, only taller.

I was reminded, as I watched the way she sang, the way she moved, every bit of her body language, of posts I have seen lately from several bloggers.  So so many people have asked their readers, "What would you say to your 16 year old self?"  So, I sat a few moments, pondering what I would tell my 16 year old self.  

And then what I would tell my 6 year old self.

Or my 26 year old self.

Do you know what I would say?

~~~~~~~~~

To my 6 year old self:
"Wow Elizabeth, you're six!  SIX!  You're growing fast!  You're getting big and you're smart.  There's something need to know about kindergarten, though.  It's just school.  I know right now it seems like the most important thing in the world, and I guess it is.  But seriously?  No one...NO ONE cares what your kindergarten graders were.  What you're doing now, this year, at the very start of your school career, is setting the tone for 16 more years of education.  Grades are important, but not as important as learning.  Settle down just a tad.  Enjoy your time.  Make lots of memories.  And for goodness sake, do NOT steal Emily's life savers!"

To my 16 year old self:
"Lighten up.  Don't be so serious all the time.  Enjoy your friends.  Boys aren't really that important.  Neither is (gasp) band.  Start exercising daily.  Your body will thank you in a few years.  Try to lay off the Coca-Cola.  It's delicious, sure, but it's not worth it!  Keep your room clean.  It's not just your mom that will appreciate it.  You'll appreciate the habit when you're a grown-up.  Be proud of your body!  When you're 30, you'll wish you had it back.  Trust me.  Spend as much time as you can with your family.  EVEN your annoying big sister.  She'll become pretty important later in the story.  Have fun.  Have fun.  HAVE FUN!"

To my 26 year old self:
"The next year is going to be one of the most difficult years of your life.  Buckle up.  It's going to be a wild ride, but you're going to come out with flying colors.  You're an amazing mommy, and you're about to discover that you're stronger than you ever thought you were.  Sometimes you're going to feel like crying.  Do it.  Sometimes you're going to feel like screaming.  Do it.  Sometimes you're going to wish you could turn around and walk away, maybe back to kindergarten.  Don't.  You'll be glad you held in there, once you make it through.  Be prepared, though.  And trust God to carry you when it gets really rough."

~~~~~~~

There are so many things I'd like to say to me.  I could talk to me at every point.  Heck, I have things I'd like to say to me last week!  Unfortunately, all the talk in the world, all the looking back in the world, all the wishing, can't and won't change what was!  I was who I was.  I did what I did.  I am who I am!  And all my life, all my experiences, have played together to make me the woman I am today.

Today Bugs came home from church singing a song I hadn't really sung since I was a child.  It's the perfect complement to the mood I've been in today.  I want you to listen to this amazing song:

Thank you, Psalty, for putting into words what I couldn't!

Friends, I bet you have some things you'd like to say to yourselves at some point in the game.  What would you say to your 6 year old self?  Your 16 year old self?  26?  18?  37?  I'd love to hear it!  You just might end up giving me a little advice I need in the process!