Elaine,
My dear younger self I am writing you to try to help you to better understand what will happen in your life. While you are in the 6th grade you will lose one of the greatest women in your life, Gram Bev. You will grieve for a very long time but know that she is no longer in pain. Do as she would want and keep up your grades, your teacher will be very understanding and helpful & you will attempt to take advantage of the situation making yourself feel horrible.
At 16 you will get pregnant but don't be hasty to change all that, your daughter is amazing and is such a great addition to you. She makes you better. Josh will leave you shortly after Hailey is born but its okay you will make it on your own! You will have a horrible fight with your mother when you are almost 18 but it will be much needed (although when she says hit me don't hit her just walk away!), this fight will bring you closer and teach both of you that you need to get out and be on your own. Once your on your own you will get back with Josh at the begging of his friends... don't agree to marry him but stay at least until your son is born (2003). He's a pretty kick ass kid ;). Maybe this will help and you won't loose your kids because he decides he doesn't want you to leave him. If you do still loose custody of your kids, it will hurt horribly but you will stay strong! Your kids will still love you and you will get them back eventually!
Allow your friends (mainly Jon and Tommy) to help you through the hard times, they will really have your back and you will make amazing memories. If you don't listen to me about anything else in this letter please just listen to one thing! Please promise me that you will take the keys away from Jon on October 25, 2007! Make sure when he tells you he loves you that night that you say it back instead of saying yeah I know just in case he takes someone else's car!
Cherish every moment you have with your loved ones, life is too short! Live your life for you kids, don't let anyone tell you that you are a bad person or a bad mom cause you are not. Your kids are happy, healthy, smart, loving and have great manners, all thanks to you (not their father or even your mother!) Eventually you will meet a really great guy who will take care of you and your kids, you'll even have another little boy!! Live your life like there is no tomorrow, love with all your heart and no fear of having your heart get broken!
Love and older and wiser you!
