10 years from now.

Dear Future Self,

You're 42 now. Yeah 42, but age ain't nothing but a number. You've always said that and "you're only as old as you feel." You tried to preach that to everyone who ever complained about being old. After all, growing older is a privilege that many don't get. So you're 42, which means that your husband is, too. That man is the love of your life. You waited years to have him. I'm sure you're still honeymooning after all these years. You're getting ready to celebrate your 9 year wedding anniversary. Nine years is small compared to the life time you have together though. I bet you're living in the middle of the woods on acres of land, in your beautiful dream home by now. You probably have dogs and kids running around the house and yard, enjoying the good life you've given them.

Your oldest, he's 21 now! Gasp! When did that happen? They say times flies when you're having fun. That must be true. After all, look at all the fun you had together in that kid's first 11 years and that surely flew by. So you've survived middle school, high school, driving lessons, graduation, college and all those other milestones together! Congratulations! Of course you couldn't have done it without the love of your life who loved that boy as his own from the start. You've probably had another baby or two by now. You never could make up your mind as to how many more you wanted but since those babies haven't been born at the time of this letter you don't know how old they are by now but I imagine a world filled with pink and purple, Barbies and Baby Dolls, frills and bows by now but then again I can imagine a world filled with blue and green (what other color defines boy anyway?), Mud puddles and bugs (which you probably still despise), trucks and baseball, too.

I'm sure you've gone through your share of struggles as a family, too though. Those things probably brought you closer together as a family. At the time of this letter you're struggling with the C words a lot in your life. Cancer. Your soon to be father in law and sister in law, your best friend, you're grandfather (Jimmy), even your dog lost his battle with that nasty disease this week. Hopefully by now they've found a cure and these people are all still celebrating life with you.

Maybe you finally got that teaching degree, maybe not. Maybe you decided being a stay at home mom and wife was all you really wanted out of life. If you are teaching I'm sure all those kids in your class love you and no doubt, you love them as if they were your own. You always have had a heart for kids. I bet you cry at the end of each school year when you have to set them free. You cry a lot because you care like that. You love as hard as you fight and you always fight for what's right.

Maybe you were finally able to open that bakery you've always dreamed of. Yeah, the one with a sandwich shop attached and you probably sell home made cards and make wedding and baby shower invitations, too. Maybe you just do that for fun out of your kitchen for family and friends, like you always have. That's probably more like it so you can spend time focusing on your family and still enjoying what you love to do. Because I know, no matter what you're doing with your life, nothing is more important than the people you see when you walk through the front door everyday. Your biggest dream has always been to be a momma and a wife. You are now and I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that's what you are meant to do with your life.

Keep shining and doing what you love with who you love most because that is the most honest, beautiful life you can live. My only hope is that you've finally realized that you're not Super Woman and you can't take on the world alone. You don't have to. Just remember to Be Still and enjoy the moments because, as your great grandmother used to tell your mother, who passed it along to you, "Everything is temporary. The bad times are but so are the good times." So go sit down with your husband and kids, the house work will still be there tomorrow. Enjoy this day.