July, 2036 - Letter from myself in 2036 to today’s Sheila Jean in 2011
Dear Sheila Jean:
Speaking words of wisdom…let it be…let it be.
Please stop trying to fix everything. You can’t.
Stop trying to control everything… you can’t.
Don’t stop having those big hopes and wishes…
But don’t fully expect them to play out.
Stop worrying about CF - Your kids are the champions of it.
Stop worrying about autism -
Timothy crossed the threshold of expectations.
Stop worrying about learning disabilities
He took the “dis” right off of that word and turned it into “abilities”…big time.
Stop worrying about being chubby.
You worked hard to be chubby.
Remember all those yummy foods. Be glad you still work out every day.
Give your self some damn credit…and have a cookie.
Stop worrying about the car business.
Bud Kouts is strong in tradition and continue to care about customers.
Caring about customers can beat even the worst economy.
Stop trying to help your sister cope with her son’s death.
She is in a different place than you.
Just give her a safe place to cry and cry with her
and know that you will never stop missing Andy. So stop trying. Let it hurt.
Stop worrying about things at school and the people who lower the bar of expectations.
Keep your bar raised.
You can control what happens within the walls of your classroom…
raise the bar and help kids meet it. It’s what you do.
Keep expecting that kids can do amazing things.
Stop worrying about your faith. Own the faith you have.
God speaks to your heart. Listen to your heart. That is YOUR faith.
Don't stop making memories with friends...especially girls night out.
It gives new meaning to eat, drink and be merry...and laughing 'til it hurts (or more).
Don't stop making family memories. Create them. Celebrate them. Cherish them.
Don't stop taking memory pictures with your camera...your mind...your heart.
Smile everyone!!! :-)
Pour your heart into life because if Andy taught you anything,
he taught you it can be gone in the one single, solitary beat of his heart….your heart.
Forget worries and conflicts and fixing and controlling. Twenty-five years from now it will still be the same. The things that are important to you now will be important to you then...still. Faith, family, friends are the essence of life then and now. All three are gifts from God.
Life will just happen if you let it. Be aware and be astute. Take it all in as it happens. Gather the simple pleasures of each day and let them be.
Speaking words of wisdom…let it be. Let it be.
Much Love, your chubby best friend.