Dear Makayla...

16 Random Thoughts for Makayla on her 16^th Birthday:

Dear Makayla,

Driving is the best perk of turning 16…no argument there…but it’s also a massive responsibility.

Sleep-in as much as you can…while you can.

Do not follow the example of so many others on the road these days… do not text while driving. Not only is it dangerous but it’s terribly obnoxious. These people are my least favorite people on the road… and I don’t want to lump you into that category.

Year book photos will only come back to haunt you if you become famous…otherwise don’t worry about it.

If you ever get lost driving around town and you’re feeling down and embarrassed about it – just remember that at 16 I got lost trying to drive home from your house, couldn’t find it, cried, called home in hysterics and once my parents came to escort me home…I realized that I was only one street away from where I was trying to go. Feel better? You’re welcome.

Keep a journal. You’ll be happy you did and you’ll be surprised how much you forget without one.

Learn how to drive stick shift from someone who’s patient…and never let that skill get rusty. Trust me…you’ll need it again someday.

Avoid drama. Friends in High School are great…you may even keep some of them for life…but most of them you will only stay in touch with through social media…and others you will forget their names entirely. So try to keep that perspective on days when it seems like all of your friends are dragging you through unnecessary drama.

Put something tacky in your car when you get it. It’s a rite of passage I think: fuzzy dice, hula girls, scented pine trees, furry steering wheel covers, etc.

Participate in all kinds of random/fun activities at school. I was often too intimidated to join groups or try out for things because I was afraid of rejection or failure. Worry less and try more.  

Be proud that you are earning money for and paying for your vehicle. Yes, some kids get cars with bows that they can show off. But you get more than that because you will have earned your car and it will make you appreciate it so much more. That’s something to be proud of.

Hug your parents and brother regularly and don’t ever stop saying please and thank you…regardless of age.

Expect to start running errands for Mom and Dad as soon as you get your license. It’s a given.

Practice regular random acts of kindness. “And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make" - The Beatles - 

Celebrate your accomplishments. I like to go with a 30 second dance party...it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Just make sure to acknowledge and celebrate victories.

16 is one of the especially fun years – enjoy it, don’t rush through it and don’t act any older than 16…it will go by fast enough on its own.

 

Love,

Elyse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stars...

 

 

"Stars"

By Grace Potter & The Nocturnals

I lit a fire with the love you left behind,
And it burned wild and crept up the mountainside.
I followed your ashes into outer space
I can't look out the window,
I can't look at this place,

I can't look at the stars,
They make me wonder where you are
Stars,
Up on heaven's boulevard
And if I know you at all,
I know you've gone too far
So I, I can't look at the stars

All those times we looked up at the sky,
Looking out so far,
We felt like we could fly.
And now I'm all alone in the dark of night,
The moon is shining,
But I can't see the light,
And I can't look at the

Stars,
They make me wonder where you are
Stars,
Up on heaven's boulevard
And if I know you at all,
I know you've gone too far
So I, I can't look at the stars

Stars,
Stars,
They make me wonder where you are
Stars,
Up on heaven's boulevard
And if I know you at all,
I know you've gone too far
So I can't look at the stars.

Little Glimpses of Love...

It wasn’t that long ago that my Grandma took a fall that sent her to the emergency room. My Grandpa has spent every day with her as she recovered. Thank God she is back home healing now but it hasn’t been an easy path for either of them. It seems that almost every time that I sit down to write, my grandparents come to my mind so…today’s letter is for them.

Dear Grandma and Grandpa,

I am not silly. I know that you do not use the internet and that you will likely never see this blog or this letter …but I know that putting the thoughts and words down are important to me and that you don’t need to read this letter because you already know everything that I’m about to write.

You have had some tough months… and here is what I’ve come to realize from them:

- You are full of strength and devotion. You have overcome some really big obstacles with love, humor, tears and grit. And even when you think you are at your worst – you are still the best.

 

- Grandma, you married an amazing and warm man. Grandpa, you married a wonderful woman full of grace. For years, you have shown us what “family love” is through long talks, big hugs and constant smiles. But over the past months we have had the privilege of seeing little glimpses of what “true love” is as well. Through you we’ve seen …small gestures with big heart…the holding of a hand so that the other doesn’t feel left out in a conversation, the placing of a sweater around cold shoulders on a dark day and a wink during a conversation that seems to be part of some sweet inside joke that we’ll never really understand.

 

- Our family is blessed. We have always been a family that takes care of one another regardless of circumstance or distance. This has not changed and the tough times have been a testimony to just how strong our family can be when challenged.

I hope that you always know how much you are loved and admired.

Love,

Elyse