I listen to drive time radio now, which is funny. I haven't been a morning radio gal in a few years.
This morning, the DJs, who are normally a lot less serious than this, were posing the question "If you could send a message to your 15-year-old self, what would it be?"
Listeners were saying everything from "Don't listen to your parents, do what YOU want to do after college" to "Don't marry that guy - he isn't right for you."
I thought for a minute about my life when I was 15. I was a sophomore in high school, my sister was a senior. Life was so easy back then. What advice WOULD I give my 15-year-old self?
A few things came to mind, such as spend more time with your sister, and focus on friendships, not on dating (underline, italics, bold). But this is what I tried to call in and say:
Be more intentional with your time with your grandparents.
I spent tons of time with my grandparents. Two of them lived in our city and the other two, we were around quite a good bit. However, as I have learned in the age of cell phones!, time with does not always equal time spent. I was always watching TV or reading a book or playing Gameboy instead of soaking up every bit of time I had. If I could tell my 5, 10 or 15-year-old self anything, it would be put the book/Gameboy/remote down and learn how your grandmother makes cornbread. Get up and go hunting with your grandfather. Help your grandmother whip up a fresh batch of homemade ravioli or meatballs. Dig in the garden with your grandfather: the dirt will wash off but the memories will stay.
What message would you send to your 15-year-old self?
Thursday, July 12, 2012
FIFTEEN
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Really good point Lindsay. They have so much to teach us and when you live 12 plus hours away or their memory isn't quite where it used to be, you wish you could go back and time and ask those questions.
ReplyDeleteOoh. That last line was a good one. I remember interviewing my Grandfather in-law and asking him a bunch of questions about him growing up, in the depression, the war, etc. I was 30is at the time and was so enthralled with his stories. And so disappointed I hadn't cared to ask my own grandparents the same questions in my twenties before they all passed away.
ReplyDeleteGet them on tape/video telling their story! Always good listening/viewing.
My advice: Learn to do a family recipe, well. Always great for parties. For the unique item you bring, and the story behind it.