Write a letter to your 100-year-old self.

Dear Christine, the 100-year-old!

Well, you’ve lived longer than you thought! I would love to sit and reminisce but lets first take a look at all you’ve accomplished. One, you were a teacher, and a good one at that. Second, you were a really great mother. I know, it is still hard to think about your son and your first husband all these years later but you may soon see Bob and Joey, your mother and all the rest of your loved ones who passed. Your daughter and you became really close though and that helped mend your broken heart. Your siblings, well lets not put that on the list of accomplishments, even though you did put a lot of effort into maintaining those relationships! Third, you really used your creative inspiration to make a lot of wonderful things that people really seemed to love; your miniatures, your pottery, jewelry, rosaries, and crocheted blankets to name a few! You sewed just like your mother did and don’t forget about all those Christmas Fairs you sold everything at!

I think at this point you can be happy knowing that you were a good, honest and loving person your whole life. You had a few bumps here and there that you probably don’t need reminding about, but you learned lessons from each of those mistakes and mishaps. You were married twice and very lucky to find two husbands that adored you and wanted to give you the world. With them both you were able to visit other countries and see how other cultures live and thrive. You loved international, authentic cuisine!

We could make so many lists! Schools you taught at, towns you lived in, states you lived in, jobs you had, friends you had…It could go on and on. Remember when you worked in Epcot Center! And your first job teaching at Hickory Street School? Then there was High Roads, Benny Dover, and finally Putnam. They all had their goods and bads.

You had so many friends from when you were young up until you are reading this right now. Your Guilford friends, your college friends (who ended up not really being good friends at all, but you had fun for a while!), your teaching friends, your at-home friends, I could go on and on. I know there were a few that disappointed you and I am sure you did that to them as well, but it was never intentional, you were very caring your whole life.

I guess the only thing I didn’t mention was your writing! Hahaha, here I am writing you a letter and I forget to mention your writing. Remember you published the Penelope books? All the contests you entered, manuscripts you sent out…You did a lot with it and you got better and better every year.

I hope you are proud of yourself and all of your accomplishments. You always were a little hard on yourself. You really never had any reason to be insecure, but that’s all hindsight! Anyhow, enjoy the rest of your days. You have a lot of people who love you here on earth and a lot who you will see when you go to the next place.

Love, Christine, your younger you.