Jillian, 

While there may be things I regret in these past four years, I don’t want to tell you what they are. I want you to choose how you walk through life for yourself. No one gets to tell you what you should or shouldn’t do, not even me. However, there are a few things I think you should know as you make your own choices these next four years. 

I want you to know that you did jump off that waterfall. You were wearing a helmet, you were wearing a life jacket, you checked to make sure the water was deep enough. You jumped. I am telling you this now because it took you 17 years to realize that you can do things that scare you. Being brave doesn’t mean not wearing a helmet. It means being afraid enough to wear a helmet and jumping anyways. 

I know you don’t always believe what people tell you, but I want you to know that the saying your parents always tell you, “This too shall pass” is true. The negative experiences you encounter over the next four years, those moments you think are the end of the world, sit stagnant in my memories today; I am not still living them. In fact, they only fuel my determination and have led me to believe that I can do a lot more than I ever thought. 

“This too shall pass” applies to more than just negative experiences. Your most cherished moments will also become – all too fast – memories and pages in your journal. As you go through high school, you will feel the world’s profound impermanence more and more, but you should know that I’ve come to love it. Only plastic lives forever; most things that are beautiful and honest and worth your time are temporary. 

You should know that I am pretty happy with where I am. You one day will be too. I’m so excited for you. 

Best regards,

Jillian