Dear Younger Me...A Mother's Day post

Dear Younger
Me…

What would YOU say….if
time travel were
possible, and you had the
opportunity? How would
you encourage or advise
your younger self…knowing
what you know now?

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Dear 36-year-old me,

Because you love the
Lord, does not mean you
MUST lead a ladies Bible
study, head up the education
committee at church, teach
Sunday School each
week, and mentor four young
mothers while you raise your
own family. Take time to
pray and listen for guidance
from the Holy Spirit.

I doubt that all your
activities were intended for
you at this age.

Love,
Jean (Current Age: 68)

I’m hesitant to offer you any specific advice because
if you actually take it, your life might turn out
dramatically different than it is. And frankly, your
future life is good—you have a husband who loves
you and three great kids. You are happy. Part of your
happiness comes from your good attitude—you’re
doing that right, so keep it up.
However, you could still use more mental toughness.
There are naysayers and negative people
everywhere. You’ve already noticed that, but you
haven’t yet realized what damage they can do. These
people are negative about everything, and their
words make you question your own dreams and goals.
For example, you have already completed your
college degree, and you have been working in your
field for 3 years now.
Unfortunately, you’ve discovered that it was the
wrong choice, and you don’t know what to do next.
Some things that you are interested in, you hear
people say negative things about…
(Continued on next slide…)

(Continued…)

… It’s too expensive, it’s boring, you’ll never get a job,
it’s too stressful, etc. Remember though, these people
don’t have your same aspirations, and they don’t
pay your bills. They make their offhand comments
and move on. You, however, have to make decisions
and live your life. Don’t make major life decisions
based on flippant comments.
Some of the naysayers are family members or even
close friends. They want to tell you what to do with
your life. Be careful about listening to them. Have
you noticed that they haven’t asked you what you
want, but rather they assume that they know? Don’t
let them push you in directions that you don’t want.
Be your own woman. It’s all right to take suggestions
from others, but only if they are well thought out.
Remember—the ultimate decision is yours, and you
are the one who has to live with your choices.

(Continued…)

Finally, you are not too old to make any
changes. I know you think you are, but someday,
believe it or not, you’ll think 25-year-olds are
young and inexperienced. Also, time will pass, no
matter what you do. One day, you’ll be 30.
Someday, you’ll be 40. Do you want to be in the
same place you are now, or do you want to use
that time working towards your goals?

Love,

Me (Current Age: 43)

Do not be in such a hurry for your kids to go through
the different growing up stages. Before you know it they are
grown up and making their own lives. Just enjoy every
moment with them.
Love,
Jeniffer (Current Age: 46)

Don't be so self-conscious. You think everybody is
looking at you and judging you, but they're really
self-conscious about themselves. They're looking
at you and wondering how THEY measure up
against YOU.
Love,
Susan (Current Age: 49)

Dear 8-year-old me,

Good and exciting things will happen for
you in life. Good and exciting things will
also happen for your friends. When
something great happens for a friend, be
genuinely happy for them! This is their
moment in the sunshine….help them
enjoy it to the fullest without selfishly
thinking that you deserve something
great too. Your turn will come.

This is an incredibly important lesson
that will carry you throughout life. You
won’t get the lead in every school
play, you won’t be named to the All Star
team for every sport, you won’t always
get the best score on a test…

(Continued…)

…Sometimes others will get those honors
and when they do, no amount of pouting
or thinking that “it should have been me”
will change the situation. Put a smile on
your face and congratulate that
person. Putting this lesson in to action
will bring you great joy throughout your
life!

Love,
Tara (Current Age: 39)

Continue giving loving support to your husband as he hunts for a new
career. Building him up at this crucial time will help him more than your
criticism.
Love,
Shirley (Current Age: 92)

You are beautiful just the way God created you. You don't
need to worry yourself with trying to look like someone else.
God designed you to be special in every way. And He is way
more interested in your heart than in your weight or your
outward appearance. The fun magazines you sometimes
look through are full of articles and pictures that can be
dangerous to your mind. Those people who seem to have it
all on the outside are sometimes empty and hurting and
broken on the inside. Don't waste your time wishing you
looked different. Instead, look to God's view of who you are.
Fill your mind with His truth. Be an encourager to others.
God is your creator. He is your forever friend. You delight
Him just by being YOU.
Love,

Dear 38-year-old me:
My husband tells me we have to leave our
beautiful home in Illinois with its grand oak
trees and green, green grass for a move to
Boise, Idaho. It also means leaving my sweet
recently widowed mother and taking her 2
grandsons and only granddaughter away. My
heart is breaking. I've seen Boise. It's ugly.
They say you can see the mountains, but the
two times we visited I never saw them.
Once, in the hot summer, there was so much
haze the mountains were invisible. Again in
the winter there was so much fog that the pilot
wasn't certain we could take off for our return
to Chicago. Mountains? Ha! And wherever I
look I see pickup trucks with gun racks and big
dogs riding in the truck beds. I would
say, most definitely, this is not a city filled the
culture I've been used to!! - no symphony
orchestra, no Brookfield Zoo, no Museum of
Science & Industry, no touring Broadway
shows, no Art Institute, not even decent
shopping! …

(Continued…)
…Everyone seems to shop via catalogs! But
our house has sold and there is no turning
back. My husband is a man of his word, he
says he made a promise to his employer, and
so I honor him for that and for the man he is. I
realize I have two choices: I can either be
miserable and make the whole family
miserable, OR I can have an attitude of
excitement -- we're going on an adventure.
We don't have to stay there forever, after all.
Maybe just a few years....
And so we're on our way, leaving Chicago in a
blizzard on the 4th of March. Arriving in
Boise, the sun is shining, the temperature is in
the 60s, and, YES, there are mountains! As the
movers are carrying our stuff into our lovely
new house, I look out the kitchen window and
quickly call to my husband to come and look at
what I see…

(Continued…)

…Bogus Basin is covered with sparkling white
snow against a backdrop of the most brilliant
blue sky I've ever seen. I tell my husband, “This
is so beautiful. I think we'll retire here!” He
looks at me and says, “Are you crazy?”
So, 38-year-old me, now 36 years have
passed, you've grown much older and hopefully
much wiser.

Love,
Elvia (Current Age: 74)

Here you are, still living in Boise and filled
with contentment and joy. Little did you know
that within 6 months of your arrival your
mother would sell her home of 40 years and
move to Boise (because she really LIKED it!)
Little did you know that you were in for the
surprise of your life when you gave birth to
daughter #2 at age 44! (That's a story in itself!)
Little did you know that your 4 children would
excel academically and professionally
(well, maybe you did have a clue about
that!), but you didn't know that all of them and
their families would end up living in the
Northwest.
Little did you know what an outstanding
university (and football team!) would develop…

(Continued…)
…what a first-class philharmonic orchestra
Boise would have, or an opera company, or
ballet, or wonderful art museum, that the
historical museum would "come to life" every
September, that Zoo Boise would grow and
obtain many exotic animals, and that during
the summer and fall you would enjoy the
Capital City Farmers' market on Saturday
mornings. And then there's the breathtakingly
beautiful scenery that surrounds us in Idaho!
It's all just a short drive away! Little did you
know that you would no longer be able to look
out your kitchen window and see Bogus Basin
because your beautiful huge maple trees (as
well as the neighbors' trees) obstruct the view.
This is a beautiful place to live!!...

(Continued…)
…So dear 74-year-old me, what have you
learned? I've learned that God has given me
the gift of hindsight! I can look back over the
years (and I often do) and see how His hand
has been working in my life. I know without a
doubt that God has a plan and a purpose for
my life. I know that His purpose for bringing
us to Boise was to draw me into a deeper
relationship with Him, to grow in knowledge
of His Word, to trust Him and to continue to
grow in my faith. I also know when the next
move comes, either earthly or heavenly, I'll
not move alone, because His love always goes
with me. Of that I am certain! It will be an
adventure!
Love,
Elvia (Current Age: 74)

I wish I could just give you a little hug and say: ―Don’t worry so much about
getting it absolutely right in everybody else’s eyes…the parenting thing I mean. Be
confident in your own self, trust without a doubt in your own mother’s
instincts, trust in your own self. You’re doing just fine!‖
Love,


I know you think this is love. I know you
feel sure you will be married and spend
forever together with him. I know you
really, really think you know what you are
talking about, but remember "The heart is
deceitful above all things and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?" Jer. 17:9 NIV.

Is he a Godly man? Does he serve and
follow the Lord? If so, he will wait for the
proper time. He will love you as Christ
loved the church, enough to die for you. He
will not rush you or push you into sin.
Please choose the wisdom from above, not
the wisdom of the world or the flesh….

(Continued…)

…The Lord's wisdom says "A wife of noble
character who can find? She is worth far
more than rubies. Her husband has full
confidence in her and lacks nothing of
value. She brings him good, not harm, all
the days of her life." Proverbs 31:10-12.

That means even now, be faithful to your
future husband, whoever he made be.
Stand firm and let God write your love
story. You will not be disappointed.
Love,

Be confident about what you can do, and
be honest about what you can't. I am now
trying to live by that!!
Love,
Dawn (Current Age: 34)


When a boy you like tells you that he wants to get
"dirty" with you, it does not necessarily mean that he
wants to go ride motorcycles through the sagebrush
and fields or play in the dirt, it means your body is
changing and he wants you to explore. It is ok to say
NO. God loves you inside and outside. Stay strong
and learn to love yourself enough to say "no" this is
not what you need.

Love,
Me (at age 55 - and still struggling with this)

This is the day the Lord made, 38 years
ago, when Steve and I wed. The journey
together has had many paths. The love I
had then has transformed into love and
hope for many more tomorrows.

Had I known life's pain and sorrows would
make me a better wife, mother and friend,
I would not have struggled so much. Had
I known the Lord held His hand out to me,
I would have grasped it much sooner.

But this I know now...He will never leave
me nor forsake me. His promises are true
and His will be done, in me and through
me for His name sake…

(Continued…)

…My heart has grown to understand the
JOY of marriage, raising two beautiful
daughters, embracing three precious
grandchildren and a life well lived with a
man that loves me, despite my failings. He
loves me for who I am and what the Lord
has accomplished in me. Through thick
and thin, till death do us part has great
rewards because we are held together by
His love.

Hang in there girlfriend. After 38 years of
marriage, I know the best is yet to come!

Love,
Gina (Current Age: 60)

Dear younger me,
The future is all about choices and memories. Strive to
make good ones.
Love,
Sheila (Current Age: 71)

Don't give in to the
temptation to pour
yourself into your
career...save your
valuable energy for your
family and home.
The career doesn't give a
flying fig about you, but
your family does, and
your home will give you
fulfillment all your life.
Love,

Okay, so you thought you knew everything
when you were fifteen. And when you finally
hit 43 at least you thought you had this mother
thing figured out. But you were thrown a huge
left turn—with your surprise pregnancy, 75 days
in the hospital on bed rest and then of course the
unexpected diagnosis of Down Syndrome 45
minutes after his birth.
I look back on those lightless days, those long
nights of whole-body sobbing into your
pillow, that whirlpool of fears that threatened to
swallow you whole. How I wish you could have
glimpsed yourself today—nearly three short
years into the future. All of that fear—for
him, for you, for your family would have melted
away with the tears…

(Continued…)
…You are stronger than you think. You are
hard wired to handle these unanticipated
challenges. Just wait, you’ll see. This will be the
biggest growing experience of your life. Embrace
it. Enjoy it. A whole new world is about to be
opened before you. Trust me; you hit the
proverbial lottery with this little gift from
heaven. You will love him more than you
thought it possible to love a child. His tiny
milestones will surpass any accolade or
accomplishment in your life. He will harness
your heart. So hold on tight, relish the ride and
breathe in deeply the new vistas and views.
Much love,
Lonni (Current Age: 46)

Beware-every stage of your life has it's challenges. Be accountable, responsible
and respectful. Know that it is better to be alone than pretend you're someone
else. Be you. Find you. Be happy with that. Know your power and relish your
Joie De Vivre. Take comfort in your most precious possession-your family. Trust
your internal compass!
Love,
Meghan (Current Age: 35)

Be thoughtful and decisive about your major. Liberal Arts classes are terrific
but if you are remotely interested in a health-related occupation in the future,
take science courses now while you’re able to focus on school without
responsibilities.
Love,
Kari (Current Age: 36)

The person you are today is far from the one you will be in 10 years.
Your goals, dreams, and hopes will be far more meaningful after experiencing this time in between.
Look forward to a world you never dreamed existed.....it is a miraculous gift you will not want to
miss out on.
Love,
Lanae (Current Age: 38)

Life can change in an instant...be
prepared by being firmly rooted in
your faith.. God IS enough!
Love,
Margie (Current Age: 62)

Embrace your strengths. If you're good at something, help someone who struggles in that area. If
you're NOT good at something, find someone who IS good and ask them to help you. Nobody is good
at everything, so stop trying. Learn to be happy with your strengths and stop worrying about your
weaknesses.
Love,
Susan (Current Age: 49)

Dear young 24-year-old me,
Stop and enjoy your kids.
Don't fret so much about the housework being done.
Take the time to sit down and read a book with the
kids, play with them, be silly. Getting upset or even
angry doesn't help when the kids turn their ears off
to you. Help them with clean up. Show them what
you mean instead of spouting off words.

By the way, do NOT neglect your walk with the
Lord. Let the kids see you reading and studying the
Bible...and yes praying. Let them see you on your
knees at your bedside. So much more is caught than
taught. Yes, I know you are busy. But making and
taking the time to be with the Lord will give you
the strength to go on, day by day with the unending
tasks of laundry, dishes, baths, and soothing scraped
knees…

(Continued…)
…When others ask you what you do for a living, tell
them you are forming the lives of the next generations
of Christian leaders. Don't shy back. Be proud. You are
doing the most important job on this earth.

And Amy, make the time to date your man. I know you
are tired, and don't have a lot of money, but this is
important to your married life. When you go out, don't
talk about the kids all the time. Remember why you
fell in love. Rekindle that. Do some fun things together.
If there was only one thing I could tell you, it would be
to develop a spiritual walk with your husband. Pray
together. Study the same passage and then discuss it.
Also find another Christian couple that you can take
the journey of life together with. Being accountable to
each other only helps the bonds of friendship and your
Christian faith to grow stronger.
Love,
Amy (Current Age: 56)

Slow down enjoy those tiny people – they’ll soon be grown and leaving. Your heart will long to
hold those tiny little hands and feel those tight hugs around your neck. Take all the pictures
and video you can so in the later years you can remember it all.
Love,
Jen (Current Age: 43)


I realize you're trying to be a perfect wife
and mother, but let me share a few secrets
with you. First of all, you and your husband
are Italian and face it - Italians just yell!
We yell when it's time for dinner and we yell
when we're mad. And that's okay. Let it
out...and no (Catholic) guilt about
yelling...just call it what it is, the way we
Italians communicate.

The word perfect? There's no such thing as a
perfect marriage and there aren't perfect
children or perfect homes. Please don't strive
for perfection; instead strive for good
communication and laughter, shared
interests and good listening. Give to your
husband and don't expect the same (the more
you give, the more he’ll surprise you)…

(continued…)

…And what you think of as a perfect child
or perfect home is really what society has put
in your mind....please don't fall for society's
view. Know that God has a beautiful plan
for bringing children into your life and He's
equipped you with everything you need to
raise those children. And please remember
that your home is actually your family...not
your actual house. Put your energy into the
family God hand picked for you, not into
creating the perfect house.

So love one another, pray together, keep
laughing and yell if you want to...the years
go by so fast. Don't waste a minute of it
trying to be a perfect anything. You serve
and are loved by a Perfect Lord and that's all
the perfection you'll ever need.

Love,
Jennifer (Current Age: 42)

I spent a lot of needless years trying to “work my way to Heaven”
until a special friend shared God’s love with me. She told me
that I could never do enough good works. God’s love was free
and salvation was His gift through Grace; it was nothing I
deserved but His free gift to me.
Love,
Lou (Current Age: 72)

Relationships are always THE most important thing in life - not honors and professional
accomplishments. The world tells us otherwise and makes us doubt our commitment to the
Lord, our family and others. In particular, as a young mother, the time you spend being with
and teaching your children is worth all of the gold in the world. So don't doubt the value of
your commitment.
Love,
Mary Kay (Current Age: 67)


Your first son is now born and you are
scared, but you will raise him to be a
fine man. So, don't stress about
everything you do or don't do. Life will
show you that what you did was right
and now it is his turn to raise his two
children, with all your help and
wisdom.

Love,

Laurel (Current Age: 61)


Listen to your parents, they want the best for
you, follow their teaching, you will turn out well.

Be blessed,
Ugochi (Current Age: 35)

Stop spending so much time looking for
answers in parenting books and
magazines. Instead, be more introspective
and put some real thought into your child,
whatever the situation may be. Then, listen
to your instincts and be confident with your
parenting ability.
Love,
Heidi (Current Age: 41)

"Don't blink....before you know it your 3 precious girls will be grown-up". How many times I heard these
words, but in the midst of changing diapers, bandaging knees, satisfying "I'm hungry," and barely able to keep
up on all the other young-mother responsibilities, I couldn't even begin to grasp the reality of how true they
would become. Now, many days and years later, I feel those words with almost every heartbeat within my
chest. In just a few weeks our oldest daughter will be graduating from high school - "don't blink" now resonates
deeply. My easily flowing tears aren't those of sorrow, fear, or regret - but truly more of "I blinked...and now
my daughter is 18." But the Lord has been so incredibly gracious to our family. Through our ill and best
attempts at parenting, He has lovingly cared for our family and the raising of our daughters…

(Continued…)
…Oh, and our 3 precious girls are now 4 - Sarah, 15, who has been part of our family since age 11, will be
adopted very soon....forever weaved into the fabric of our lives. Looking back, I wish I would have left the
laundry and dishes to sit down and color one more Disney Princess, play hide-and-seek, or simply snuggle a bit
longer. But looking into the eyes and hearts of my children now, I know that they know how crazy their
momma (and daddy) are about them! All of the "I should have's" that could linger in my mind I need not give
room to grow, and be determined to live this day forward as the best mom for my kids today....each
individual, unique and a priceless gift from the Lord!
Love,
Shauna (Current Age: 43)

So you thought you knew what love
was when you married that amazing man?
Buckle your seatbelt sister! When you hold that
fragile little baby for the first time you will
discover new heart strings you never knew
existed.
Motherhood will be the hardest – and
most rewarding thing you’ve ever done. It will
open your eyes to an entirely new perspective. It
will draw you closer to God – if you allow it.
Now more than ever, lean on God.
Seek His wisdom. Be aware that God is present
and available to you every moment of each day.
This parenting thing will be a roller-coaster, but
you’re in good hands when you’re trusting God.

Love,
Jeannette (Current Age: 39)

You have a wonderful husband and two
teenage sons who keep you hopping plus a
full time teaching position. Don't sweat
the neat house and your "TO DO" list so
much; stop and enjoy your family. Thank
the Lord more often for what you do
have going for you!!
Much love,
Alice (Current Age: 68)

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