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Dear Younger Me, You Weren't Supposed To Carry The Pain, Grief And Loss As Long As You Did

It is not your fault.

McKenzie E. Lanter

May 22, 2018

Indiana University

108

McKenzie Lanter

Dear younger me,

You were so innocent, so young but so brave. Always tackling the day with a smile on your face. I was once told to never let that same smile leave my face because it makes me apart of who I am. You would be so proud of yourself if back then you could have somehow known what your future would be like. I can say that because I’m proud of myself today. At a young age, we went through so much. Enduring loss as you tried to understand it. Those same things made us the person we are today. Maybe everything that we had planned for our future back then did not go as planned but everything happens for a reason with a purpose.

I would not be the person that I am today if I did not learn things in life. More importantly, overcome obstacles. Younger me, you were not supposed to carry the burden, pain, grief and loss as long as you did. If I could have told you one thing it would have been to cast your cares on God because I have done that now. Which has me a better version of myself.

When I think about the younger me, I think about how strong I used to be. You were always so much stronger than you had thought. I would not be the person I am today if the younger me was not brave or strong as you were. Even after all the times doubt crept into our mind I can say proudly that you made it, God never doubted you because he knew the person he would mold you to be. That is something to be proud of.

Believe me, it is so much easier to tell the younger version of myself how strong I was because I see how strong I have become. Younger me, I could not have do it without you. I would not have been able to be as brave, strong, wise, or as happy as I am today without you. You never failed me. You always had faith, hope and love in your heart. Always looking to the future with anticipation knowing one day you want to be something greater than you imagined.

Younger me, I am so proud of you. You never gave up on yourself. You always fought for what you believed in. You always had the future you in mind in every decision you made in life. Thank you, for everything you did to mold me into the person I am today. I could not have this without you.

Love,

The older and wiser you

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Dear Younger Me, You Weren't Supposed To Carry The Pain, Grief And Loss As Long As You Did

It is not your fault.

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It's Been a Long Winter Break

Making the world safer through language.

1. Use singular they for people whose pronouns you don't know, people who use those pronouns, and stop using him/her.

2. Stop using the words "opposite sex" or "both sexes" or "opposite gender" or "both genders".

3. Ask people's pronouns when you meet them.

4. Use the word cisgender.

5. Stop saying "born a boy/girl" about a transgender or non-binary person.

6. Stop using the term 'preferred pronouns'.

7. Stop using a transgender or non-binary person's dead name.

Sometimes, we just can't help the feelings we have

1. Wow. My voice sounds amazing with this song.

2. Okay, if you can't sing, don't do it.

3. But wait, I don't think I can be friends with someone who isn't going to jam out in the car with me.

4. Dance part in the car! Even when I'm alone. Because every song is my favorite.

5. Stop light. Act calm. Be cool.

6. Yes! Green light! Back at it!

7. I don't know this song, but I'm going to sing along anyway.

8. Why am I not famous yet?

9. Being next to someone who can't sing so you feel good about yourself because you rock!

10. OK, I'm so good. I need to sing louder so I can help these people out.

11. My voice doesn't reach some of those notes, maybe I should sit this one out.

12. Randomly bursting out in song and getting weird looks because of it.

13. God, thank you so much for giving me a good voice.

14. Man, I feel bad for people who can't sing.

15. Was I just humming? Did they hear me?

16. Having dance moves to go along with most songs.

17. Not being able to stop yourself at correcting people when they mess up.

18. Maybe I should post myself singing.

19. Nah, can't do it. Dumb idea.

20. Having my own personal concert in the shower. Every single time.

Normal people wouldn't understand

1. Having time to nap between classes or at all.

2. Waking up 10 minutes before your class starts and making it there in time.

3. Making it to class in general

4. Only having to hit the snooze button three times.

5. When you didn't do the homework and the teacher decides not to collect it for that day.

6. Getting that "I'm sorry, but class is cancelled" email.

7. Finding a quiet seat in the library.

8. Actually enjoying a class and understanding all of the material.

9. Having a friend to eat lunch with.

10. Finishing an assignment before the due date.

11. When there is free food on campus.

Becuase of all things to be addicted to, you're addicted to making money.

1. You can't remember your last day off.

2. Whenever someone asks to hang out, you're working.

3. When you do see your friends, you're in a "treating mood."

4. You work so much you don't have time to spend the money you're making.

5. You're too tired to function when you aren't working.

6. Finally seeing your friends and having way too much to catch up on.

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