Sep 12, 2014

Sue MacKay's letter to her 16 year old self.


Dear Me,

Have you told the family you don't want to be called Susan yet? Go on, I dare you.
 
First thing I’d say is you’ve been born in a time of so much opportunity. Probably more than any generation before you. Which brings me to - be true to yourself and stop trying to please everyone else otherwise it’s going to  cost you big time. You want to study horticulture so go do it. Don’t let mum tell you you can’t. Dad will back you all the way because he’d love nothing more than for you join him in the family flower growing business and maybe take over some day. By the way, that laboratory technician training you’ve interviewed for? You will be good in the lab and even enjoy it, but it isn’t your first choice of career. And a hint on the side – this job will change so much over the years because of technology growing rapidly leaving techs less involved in diagnosis.

About dad: go with him to as many as possible of those concerts you both love. Sadly he won’t be with you for much longer and you’ll be devastated.

It’s cool that you’re playing badminton and the best bit is you’re going to improve so much you’ll play as a rep for Counties. Remember the first time you held a racket and couldn't hit the shuttle to save yourself? Your sport is your safety valve so always, always participate in some form of it. DON'T take up snake training.

 



That pesky brother? He’ll finally grow up and you’ll become best friends. Your two closest friends are going to be there forever and though you’ll move away from them, you’ll always be in touch and picking up where you last left off.

 If only you wouldn’t marry the first man to ask you but there’ll be no stopping you, because of your desire to please others. You’ll need to be strong. Remember the tough lessons you learned when you went away to boarding school at ten. They’ll get you through a lot.
Eventually you’ll hear what I’m telling you and take charge of your life. Then you’re going to fly – literally. Up into the sky, same as dad and your brother before you, though you won’t become a professional pilot like them. And the best thing? There is a hero out there for you and you will recognize him as such the moment you hear him laugh. Go for him, girl. He’s worth asking out on that first date.

 As for family – you’re going to gain a step daughter you’ll adore beyond belief. There’s also a surrogate daughter, surrogate niece, a god daughter and a self-appointed godson lining up for you later on.

 And those stories you’re always writing? Don’t stop. Remember all the encouragement dad gives you? Your hero will be just as supportive.

By the way, those legs, make the most of them. They won’t always look so good.
Whether you listen to your older self or not, you are going to have some awesome experiences, love some wonderful people, and achieve your dreams. Go grab life, Sue.

 

15 comments:

  1. What a beautiful post, Sue! I'm loving this little series of LoveCats letters :) I'm so glad you found your hero in the end.

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    1. Yep, Stefanie, so am I. We have done so much together, it's been amazing.
      Aren't these letters great? I'm looking forward to reading more over the coming weeks.

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  2. Ack! These letters always make me cry :-(
    I didn't know you wanted to study horticulture Sue!
    So pleased you took charge and found your hero.
    xxx

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    1. Cyber tissues to you, Amy. Yeah, funny thing, I can't manage a flower garden around the house, but give me an acre, a rotary hoe and loads of bulbs and I'll give you beautiful flowers. Same with vegetables. Growing up dad would give me vegetable seeds to grow and he'd sell the produce at the markets for me. There's something very basic about the process I still love even though I don't get out in the soil much now.

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  3. Hi Sue,

    Love the letter to your 16 yo self, and moved too - sniff. I'm so impressed by the huge variety of your interests. Good on you for making the most of these opportunities. yay, you!

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    1. Maybe the variety is because I have a short attention span!! :) No, I have always felt there is so much to do, and things to try, but I'll never get all on my list done.

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  4. Great letter and great photo! Glad you didn't become a snake trainer, Sue.

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    1. You and me both, Claire. Mind you, living in NZ the chances were remote.

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  5. Okay, I have to ask -- IS THAT A SNAKE YOU'RE HOLDING?

    I'm glad you eventually followed your dreams and found your hero, Sue. Thank heaven's we become wiser with age. :-)

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  6. Hi Sue

    I am really loving these letters it is great hearing about everyone and yep so glad you found your hero and I especially love the fact that we need to things that make us happy and not necessarily everyone else

    Have fun
    Helen

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    1. Helen, everyone should learn to put some time aside for their own special things. They're important.

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  7. YES, IT IS, Michelle. It was dry and scaly and horrible. A small boa constrictor, if I remember rightly.
    You are so right. getting wiser has to be the biggest plus about getting older. The only plus?

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  8. Such a wonderful letter, Sue. It made me all teary!! So wonderful you ended up following your dreams.

    So, you can fly??

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  9. Yes, Jennifer, I can fly, though I haven't been up for a long while.
    Didn't mean to make anyone teary. Cyber tissues to you too.

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  10. Lovely, lovely letter, full of great words of wisdom, Sue. I wonder why your mum was so against you studying horticulture. It seems like a nice steady career - it's not like you wanted to join the circus or anything! My gosh, didn't lab work change over the years.

    I'm so glad you found your hero - even though it sounds like you might have got waylaid on the journey by a frog that didn't turn out to be Prince Charming! Great photo - and a very big snake!

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