I found a lovely post over at Jean Has Been Shopping and decided to tag myself in a letter to my 1989 self.  How fun is this idea?  Please, do so yourself and feel free to link back to me.

Here I am the night before I left my ghetto for Michigan State and my entire life changed forever.  I spent this night with my friends Angie and Krissy, and we visited people all over our little city, sat on our favorite bench and cat called guys, and got chased by a car full of unknown dudes so scary that were had to jump in and hide in the bushes and run for our lives for about half the night.  And, that night was exactly twenty years ago in September 1989.

 1989 was a huge year in my life, as I graduated high school, almost got killed by my stalker ex-boyfriend, moved out of the ghetto, and went off to Michigan State all on my own dime.  Here I am at the beginning of my last year of high school, a place I never want to look back on, which is why I always skipped the reunions. 

Dear 1989 Girl from the Ghetto,

2009 has not been a great year for you.  You get sick, visit Mayo Clinic and get diagnosed with weird conditions you’ve never heard of.  Also, you had a hysterectomy and can’t have children of your own.  Then, you lose your job rather unfairly, and to top it off your boss tried to boot you the day before your surgery before HR forced him to delay it until September.  Even more bad things happen to you that I won’t mention here. 

However, you did get to meet two famous and funny as hell writers, you lost 38 pounds in three months, you have two stepchildren to love and take care of, and you have one sexy and supportive husband you love who also cleans the house, so there is much to celebrate! 

Ok, here are the basics.

Beauty:
Stop those spiral perms.  Don’t you remember the bald spot incident before senior homecoming?  Thank god Micky comes into your life in your twenties and talks you out of constant back coming and spirals.   Get brave, and try highlighting instead of Sun in and lemon juice. 

Men:
You have a lot of long-term relationships, but none of them are at the right time or with the right person.  You have a vision, and you know that you are going to meet your husband at a tailgate party.  This is why you go to bed at 6:00pm the night before and skip a Halloween party, so you could have great hair the next day.   

Children:
Bad news, you don’t get to have your own, but you are lucky enough to be blessed with two step-children, one of each.  Children have always loved you, and you continue to work with them even if it is through your volunteer work.

Family:
Everybody’s still crazy, and your not sure if they are getting better or worse.  Stick with your small doses, it is how you can deal effectively.

Money:
You were born poor, raised on welfare, and made it to Europe twice, not to mention graduate school until the money gods take it away again.  Work hard and hopefully you’ll find more in the future. 

Misc.:
Friends come and go, but you are lucky enough to have some good ones on your side.  Your true friends will always be there for you.   

You were born into a hard life, but you have survived and thrived with the best of them.  You realize life isn’t supposed to be fair, and thank goodness you don’t get jealous of others who seem to have it easier or who get all the breaks.  You have a will that may be legendary someday.  You may be sick, but inside your strong, and don’t you ever forget it.  You go girl! 

Love, 2009 Girl from the Ghetto