Featured Friend
Friday
Welcome to Featured Friend Friday!
I have known the Cinful one for a number of years. She has 2 blog pages, lives in Florida (residential envy!), is married and has her own motorcycle.
I was tickled when she agreed to guest post today, as I’ve admired her writing for quite a while.
Visit her page Cinful Cinnamon’s Blog, you won’t be disappointed!
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I was really pleased to get asked to be a guest blogger on Marti’s page. It couldn’t have come at a better time either. My son is graduating high school on Saturday and I’ve been thinking a lot about all of the things that must be running through his head. What is he going to do? What school does he want to go to if any? How can I make Mom and Dad proud? Nah, he’s probably not thinking that. But it made me think back to when I was 18. The world is at your doorstep. And just like Dorothy in the “Wizard of Oz”, all you have to do is step through.
Well, I plowed through the door. I was ready to take it on and defeat it. I already had a job (a couple of them actually) by the time I was 18. I had my own apartment and car. It was really important for me to be on my own. I figured I could do anything. And no one could stop me.
I’ve made it to age 53. I will be 54 in August, and there are many things that I wish I had done differently. If I could make a phone call to the hard-headed, determined girl that I was at 18, I’d give her some advice. I wouldn’t try to change her mind about any of the things that she did. Who knows? I might not have made it this far if I had done something differently. But I would point out a couple of things that if she had handled it differently, she might have gotten better results.
Damn. First thing I’ll have to do is find a land line telephone. My cell won’t work back in 1975. I graduated in 1976 because of my summer birthday. And because I failed the 3rd grade. Yeah, back then they would hold you back. So, if I could get a hold of myself I’d say:
- That plan you have about going into the Air Force? That’s a good one. But go for a better job so that you can actually get the college education that you want, instead of bits and pieces.
- Don’t worry about that guy that you lost your virginity to last year. That old bag that he dumped you for (you know the 25 year old in the Karman Ghia?) You’ll find out she dumped him.
- Mom and Dad don’t know everything. But they know more than you. And they will help you if you present a reasonable argument to them instead of storming out of the house.
- You’re not going to get a bunch of money when you graduate high school. In fact, your Uncle Buzzy is the only one that gives you cash, and that’s only six bucks. WTF? So don’t plan on any trips.
- I don’t want to tell you not to marry that first guy that you do. He was gorgeous. But I will tell you that HE is the one with the sexual problem….not YOU.
- Stay in touch with your friends. I know you move around A LOT, but try a little harder to stay friends with them. There will be some that you really really miss over the years.
The rest is a secret. You have to figure it out. And no, not going to give you any more hints. But if you do just keep those couple of things in mind, the future you will really appreciate it. Thanks.
Sincerely,
Me
Marti Gardner 