To the past and to the future.

After I tucked my kids into bed, I was thinking about how the day had gone. My parents are quick to tell me (especially today) where I am going wrong in raising my kids. I am sure I am not alone in this. It made me think of how I might act in their situation, and I thought it would be a good idea to make little reminders of what not to do as I get older. It also got me thinking of the past, where I came from and how I got to be the person I am today.  So for fun, here are top 5 things I would tell myself at 18, and the top five things to tell my future self.

To my 18 year old self:

* Getting hit with an orange going 75miles/hour in the hallway at school is not the worst thing that will ever happen to you. So let it slide.

* There are better days to come!! You will have a full life that you never dreamed possible! Wishes will come true, you will one day be in control of your life, and the people in your life will really matter.

* You will discover the meaning of true friendship. It may take a while, and you will find it in places you never expected, but you will find it.

* Love is not at all what you think it is, and there is no need to rush. You will find true love one day and you will KNOW it. You will feel it in your bones and no one else in the world matters.

* You will one day be strong. So strong, you will be capable of anything. You will set goals and achieve them, you will set standards and rise above them, you will do anything you dream of doing, because you can.


To my future self:

* Your kids are going to make mistakes. It is your job to support them. Even if you think they are wrong, they need to make mistakes.

*  When your kids are doing something they are excited about, get excited with them!

* Never forget that time spent together is worth more than diamonds or all the wealth in the world. Silly times together is what you remember in the end.

* Try to remember that raising kids is a one time gig. Your job after that is to be the best grandparents you can be. You don't get to do it twice.

* Remember that true family are the people in your life who support you, stick beside you thick and thin, dry your tears and celebrate your triumphs.