Friday, March 1, 2013

My Life in Phases: Phase 1

3-1-13

Lauren,

Good morning! Well it's a new month, and with the new month brings a new post with a new concept.  Talk about a lot of new, right?  Life is all about new changes, new times, new people, new experiences....I think you get the point.  You're only 14, but have you ever thought about where you'll be in 11 years when you're my age?  I know I did when I was younger.  I would find myself sitting there wondering what I would look like, what my job would be, what kind of friends I would have, if I would have a boyfriend or not, etc. . .  And now that I've reached 25, I can't help but wonder what life will be like when I hit 40.  I think it's just a part of growing up.

But while I often wonder what the future will be like, I also take the time to think about my past.  It's not good to dwell on and live in the past, but it is a good thing to be able to look back at it and learn from it.  I do this all the time.  I've definitely had my fair share of accomplishments and screw ups in the past, and if it weren't for both the positive and the negative, I would've never been where I am today.  It's kind of like I've lived my life in phases.  Let's talk about the first phase. . .

Phase 1: I would say this was from the time I was born until the time I was 12.  These were probably the most innocent, most child-like years of my life.  I spent my first six years living out in Eden with Mom, Dad and Chrysta.  I spent my weekends in Delaware with our grandparents (this was when my love for and addiction to coffee began).  I spent time with Mommom Ruark, too, but unfortnately due to my age at the time of her death I really don't remember much about her. Life was pretty simple back then.  The only traumas I had were busting my forehead open, breaking my collar bone and the horrible haircuts that Mom gave us back in the day.  This was a time when I almost met some of my dearest friends.  Megan and I became friends in the 3rd grade.  I met Emily, Jessica and Katy in kindergarten.  When we moved to Snow Hill in 1994, I met Andrew, Katie, Brittany and Michaela.  These were the good old days.

But with the good there is always bad.  I began to learn about loss, too.  Multiple cats that I owned were hit by cars.  Mommom Ruark, as I mentioned before, died when I was 8.  My best friend in elementary and middle school, Sam, moved the day you were born.  And oh yeah. . .you were born.  While I didn't lose you, the thought definitely crossed my  mind as you entered the world and had both of your lungs collapse.  But despite such great losses, Phase 1 of my life really wasn't all that bad.

So I challenge you to think about this a little.  I know you're only 14, but there has probably already been some dividing line in your life when you transitioned from one phase to another.  I will take a guess and say this transitioned happened when you entered the foster care system.  What have you learned from that transition so far?  I know Phase 2 of my life definitely wasn't easy, but I'll save that story for next time.

Keep your head up, girlie!

Xoxo,

Meghan