Hey Nate,
This is you, but from four years in the future. I know this sounds super weird and probably fake, but please just read the whole thing. I’m not joking, and I’m not trying to scare you. I just need to tell you something important. So, first off something really sad is going to happen soon. One of our cousins is going to pass away. I can’t tell you who, or when, or how it happens. I wish I could, but I can’t. Just know it’s going to hit hard. It’s going to hurt a lot. You’re going to feel really sad, and honestly, it’s going to be a rough time. But it’s going to be even harder for our sister and our dad. They’re really going to need you, even if you don’t know what to say or do, just try your best to be there for them. The next few months after it happens, you’re going to feel weird. Like you’re just going through the motions and nothing feels normal. You might cry, or feel angry, or even kind of empty. That’s okay. It’s normal. Just let yourself feel it. Don’t bottle up your emotions like anger and sadness, that’s only going to make it worse. The only reason I know that is because I did it and it made it worse. What’s really important is that you stay strong not like fake strong, but real strong. Be there for our family. Listen to them. Talk to them when they need it. Even just sitting with them helps. You’re going to feel like you’re not doing enough sometimes, but just being there means more than you think. I know this sounds like a lot. And it is. But I promise you will get through it. You will learn from it. You will grow stronger. You will become more understanding. I know this because I’m you, just with more time and experience. You’ve got a good heart, and soon you will get a great opportunity to get a scholarship for high school and potentially college. I can’t say what it is but when it happens you will know, i just wanted to tell you not to mess it up by trying to be too funny. You will be given extra chances, I still am but I feel like i dont have many more so I’m telling you to choose your jokes wisely. You need to be able to change some bad habits if you want everything to be perfect most of the time. I’m still struggling with that while I have 9 months of experience. Unfortunately I can not tell you who this person is because if I do I might change the outcome of what happens in the future so this is all I can tell you for now. Good luck, and remember to drop some of your bad habits. You’re stronger than you think. So hang in there. You’ll be okay. 🙂
–Future You
Nathaniel Jackson – Providence St. Mel School – DMSF Class of 2029
Photo Credit: lidiia – Adobe Stock