Mini Memoir 7

Write a letter to yourself as a teen. What kind of person were you back then? What advice or reassurance can you offer? What do you want him or her to know about your future?

Dear Leigh,

I just want to let you know, you know nothing turned out nothing like you planned but you are happier forever. You never finished college, you’ll never have children and you don’t have a job (a 9-5 anyway). You don’t even drive. You also gained weight and wear glasses which definitely does not cancel out your beauty just like you were beautiful in your teens with your acne and awkward hair. You may think that high school is forever. But you haven’t spoken to—---- in ten years and you broke up with—-- in your second semester of college.  Some relationships are not built to last. But you did make good decisions especially you chose Scranton which will probably always be your second home. Less than a year into college I had to stop drinking which was probably the best thing that could have happened to my twenties. I’m not saying you won’t miss it but it feels good to do what is right for your body. I also learned my body is not just for anyone’s pleasure. It belongs to me and I have a right to say no which I exercise now. And most of all I learned you are not your mistakes. God believes in second chances. I do too.

What was your dream job when you were in high school? At first I wanted to be a forensic psychologist and work with serial killers. Then it was being a social worker or therapist or guidance counselor. Finally it became a primary education teacher. So I went from wanting to work with murderers to working with preschoolers. All this time I wanted to still be a writer.

What plans for the future had to be modified because of academic, financial or other practical limitations? Well I realized working as a forensic psychologist might not be good for my fragile mental health. Being surrounded by blood and death. Then when I went to college I didn’t really feel passion or excitement for teaching. Now was that the bipolar? Whose to say. But I was much more passionate about counseling.

How did this affect you? I was so much more excited by counseling and alot less stressed. I regret I never did see the classes because I genuinely loved learning about that. I was always nerdy about my schoolwork even trying to do m homework in the hospital. I did figure out what I wanted to study. Just too late.

What did you do right after high school? I worked that summer at Sunrise Day Camp and in the fall I went right off to the University of Scranton where I had gotten a scholarship. 

What trade, vocational, higher education, travel, military service, marriage or other options were available to you? I got into a couple of colleges but Scranton was the one I wanted most plus they gave me the most money.

If you pursued high education, training, or the military describe where you went and what you studied. Describe your fondest memories and value of the experience then and now.

I went to the University of Scranton which started on a great note. My first semester year was one of the best times of my life. I had best friends (Alice and Jake). We’d eat all our meals together and play frisbee on the Green. With my Gaming Club friends I used to party but I never drank on school nights. I got good grades every single semester despite facing severe physical and mental problems. By sophomore year i stopped drinking but my mental health kept plummeting. Still I’ve had so many fond memories like Friendsgiving or winning the finals in volleyball. I will remember it with a smile.