Note to Myself dated May 14, 1998

Yesterday I was going through a corner of papers when I came across this envelope I addressed to myself not to open until ten years later. I remember writing this, and finding it numberous times throughout my several moves, and now it was past the date I could finally open it and reveal the contents to myself again. I was a sophmore in high school at the time I wrote this:

My Goals in Life as of March 14, 1998

• to publish my journal
• to become a teacher
• sing a solo
• quit smoking
• to be well known and liked
• follow my heart- whatever it says
• never be extremely overweight
• be faithful to my husband, children and job
• never loose a relationship with God
• never loose contact with Jessica
• to be a good mother and wife
• keep my house clean
• to be personable and down to earth
• never become an alcoholic
• have a job I enjoy
• to live out of Creston
• never change for a man
• never stay with an abusive man
• see the ocean
• see every state in America
• never grow 'old'
• to call my parents at least once a week

So after I read this, I thought it was a little anti-climatic. I don't know what I expected: rave expectations of mountains hiked or justice served. But my list is simple. Some of the things I have achieved, some I haven't. Some make me laugh, like to 'see the ocean'. Now I LIVE on the ocean (practically). The everyday things remain the same, however. Live true and simply, and stay close to the important people in my life.

Maybe I should write another letter to myself to open in the next ten years?