This is a request from two friends. I’m not sure I’ve written this kind of advice to my own kids, so it is going to take some work. However, the easiest one for me was #3. Feel free to reply with comments, and I’ll pass them on!
Dear Family and Friends,
Our son, Kevin will be turning 13 years old on December 22, 2004. He will become a teenager, beginning the transition into adulthood. In today’s world, being a teenager can be very challenging and sometimes overwhelming. We would like to help prepare Kevin for this exciting transition from childhood to young adulthood, and we are asking for your help in doing so. We would like to provide Kevin with a keepsake of a treasury of messages to live by. A book of words that he can look to for inspiration, advice, love that will help guide him on life’s journey.
We would be most grateful if you would help contribute to this book by writing something, drawing a picture, sending a family recipe or favorite photo or postcard. Some ideas are: 1) Tell Kevin, the most important thing(s) you ever learned; 2) The three (or five or ten) most important qualities a man should have; 3) Some thing(s) you wished that someone had told you when you were 13; 4) A special memory you have of Kevin; 5) What you wish for him; 6) A favorite quote, poem, prayer, or song and why it is special to you; 7) A top ten list of the things you love in life and why; 8) What you believe about life.
These are only suggestions, please feel free to add your own ideas. You can send your contribution to us via e-mail or mail by December 10 (late arrivals will still be accepted). We graciously appreciate your time and effort in making this keepsake book for Kevin. Young people today need positive influences in their lives. They need reminders that they matter and that others love and believe in them. Thank you for helping to make a difference in Kevin’s life.
With love and gratitude,
Andrea and Jim
Comments welcome!
3) Some thing(s) you wished that someone had told you when you were 13;
I wish someone had told me when I was 13 that some wonderful girls would eventually like me, even go out with me more than once, and that the best one of all would marry me. I say that because it would have saved about 5 to 6 years of teenage anxiety.(And “the best one of all” part would have even come in handy in my early twenties.)
A tip to put all my money into Yahoo when it dives down to $7 and then sell at $39 would have been very useful.
turning 13 wasn’t a very big thing for me. After my birthday Dad said, “hey, maybe this should’ve been a big deal.” I wouldn’t worry about it.