Letter to Me, Age 20
Yesterday, Florinda of The 3 R’s Blog posted Note to Self: Dear Me, Age 20 as part of a blog hop for the midlife-bloggers’ group Generation Fabulous (#GenFab). I’m already missing my October Memoir Challenge, so I thought I would like to play along. GenFab is hosted by Chloe of the Mountain. I emailed her and received my invitation last night. Here is my post for the blog hop.
Dear Joy (age 20),
Joy, circa 1982
You have one guy writing 10-page letters to you from China. Another guy puts a bow on his chest and waits under your Christmas tree for you to get home. A third guy wines and dines you at the best restaurants in town. Why do you think you aren’t pretty enough?
You are holding your own at the hardest university you could find in one of the toughest majors, sometimes while being the only woman in the class. Why do you think you aren’t smart enough?
You have friends at college and friends at all your various places of employment. Police officers (a decade older than you) invite you to their parties, girlfriends include you in gab sessions, and you are the star player on your intramural inner tube water polo team. Why do you think you aren’t social enough?
You’re 5 foot 9 carrying a healthy weight. You finally have the curves you wanted in high school. Why do you think you aren’t skinny enough?
You watch films every week at an art house, regularly attend concerts and lectures at the university, and visit the Art Museum for fun. Why do you think you aren’t sophisticated enough?
Susy, Larry, Joy, Pete — Muny 1982
You worked two jobs in the summer, kept one through the school year, and took on another as a grader in your academic department. Why do you think you aren’t employable enough?
You visit city hospitals when people from your hometown are ill. Your friends seek you out for comfort whenever they are distressed. You write chatty letters to your parents several times a month. Why do you think you aren’t kind enough?
I know it’s hard to get out of your own way and be the beautiful accomplished woman that you are. I continue to struggle with this. None of your perceived inadequacies will cause you problems in life, although crises of confidence sometimes will.
As it turns out, no one is smart enough or pretty enough or kind enough to keep bad things from happening. With the grace of the universe and the gifts you were given, you come through the bad times just fine and with new knowledge of your own strengths. Even better, when you remember to cultivate gratitude and enthusiasm, your life is filled with adventure, laughter, and love.
Love you lots!
–Joy (age 50)
This is a Blog Hop. Find more links to our selves at age 20 below.