Life is not a fairy tale, but I think the possibility exists for boys as they escape the confines of the classroom and run gleefully into long summer days.
Summer is the magical fairy tale for boys. They can spend hours killing ants, swimming to explore Atlantis, invade countries from the backyard and win the world series with a handful of neighborhood kids and rocks for bases.
This fairy tale started for Brian at exactly 2:30pm on Friday with the sound of a school bell. School is out for the summer.
His father drove him to a party and sleep over in Napa as I attended my nieces graduation from high school ... and probably the beginning of her fairy tale ...life away from high school. We think we are set free when we graduate from high school - HA.
I am not one for regrets, because it wastes precious time in the present. I gave my niece this book where women wrote letters to their younger selves. If I were to write my younger, just-out-of-high-school self what would I say? I think I'd say:
Dear Catherine,
Study the Arts. You are talented and creative and after 19 years of ballet you know staging, props, stage make-up, and projection. You have a beautiful singing voice. You should - you have been voice trained for six years and sang in one of the top high school choirs. Take some acting classes. Try out for the theatre group. Study the writing of stage plays. Write one about redheads. Be less afraid. Care less about boys. Don't take college courses that please your mother. You can't make her happy again after your father's death and you will hate your college courses. She will be happy again on her own and marry Santa Claus. You will be happy again too - so will your brother. Embrace your creative side.
Guess what? You are so damn skinny a good wind could blow you away. That isn't fat you see - it's in your head. But you don't see the thin do you? Wear your beautiful red hair like a badge of courage. Stay away from the party crowd - keep that freckled head in your books. Keep Rich as a friend or you will spend seven years going in a circle. Try and work for ACT in San Francisco. You have beautiful breasts and pretty feet.
Save your money for a trip to Europe before you get married. You will cancel the trip before college, so go later. Don't keep putting it off. I cannot tell you not to marry Terry, because you will want to, because of your future son Brian (who you will love more than you ever thought possible). You will be a great mom and love being one. Have separate bank accounts and credit though. Make sure you have good job for all of your married life. Expect to be the one that does it all and either accept it, or get out early.
You will be great at computers - who knew? Buy Nike, Dell and Microsoft stock. Don't date the US Treasury Agent. Choose the Engineer at Morrison Knudsen over Rich. Once divorced, don't waste your time with Patrick. Don't date married men or any man who is just out of a relationship. You will learn this late in life if you don't.
Skip working in corporate America. They will suck the life out of you. Creativity doesn't fit in their square box. Besides, people will work 65 hours a week and invest in pensions only to have a food company buy and sell them off. Go elsewhere for employment. Rats looking for cheese have abetter life than a cubicle corporate executive.
You have a wicked sense of humor and are great fun. Be fussy as to who you share this with. A girl KB may come along and change your life, along with Elisabet and Stephanie. You will treasure Laura forever. Have more girlfriend parties....make June come.
I don't have to tell you to love and honor your mother, Catherine - you always have. She will always be there for you. She loves you more than you know. You are not responsible for her. Ignore your brother's sharp tongue early. He will never really get over your Father's death. It will be hardest on him - give him a wide berth. If you can introduce him to Lily's friend Teresa before he gets married or Teresa gets married, then they are a match for each other. Otherwise, drive him to the airport to stop Diana from leaving. If he won't go, take your mother and the two of you go to the airport. She will forever be "the one that got away".
You will always miss your Father. There is nothing you can do about that, but once Brian is born, you learn to open up and let your heart be vulnerable again. Santa Claus will walk you down the isle - how can that be bad?
Love,
Your older Catherine
PS. OHH!! Have your thyroid checked for the antibodies that cause Hashimotos. This could save you volumes with your health.
