Assignment 21 -- Write a Letter to the 10 Year Old Child you had been

Dear Terri Beth,

This is going to be a tough year for you. I wish you could know what I know, looking back as I do from 26 years in the future. Perhaps though, its better that you don't.

You changed schools this year. You met two girls who will remain your friends for decades. Laura and Janet will be your best friends and your worst enemies over the next several years but when you're in your thirties you will still count them among your friends.

Be greatful for your teacher, Ms. Gallaher and for your relationship with Mr. Rascoe, your principal. Next year Mr. Rascoe will be elected superintendant and he'll leave. You'll hate the new principal, you'll also hate your 5th grade homeroom teacher. She's a bigot and she's stupid. Don't believe her when she tells you that you do third grade artwork. Don't believe her when she tells you it's not OK for you and Leon to love one another. She knows nothing. She's not worth your tears.

Speaking of tears...your Pop Honey is going to die in October. He's got lung cancer and he's going to have a heart attack. Your daddy will cry. He'll take his new pack of cigarettes out of his pocket and one by one he'll break them into the toilet and flush them away. He'll never smoke another one. When Stephanie offers you a cigarette years from now...don't take it. You'll not smoke long, less than two weeks, but you'll fight the desire for a decade. It wasn't worth it.

Your faith will be challenged next year. Stick to your convictions...GOD created the heavens and the earth. You'll get an F...but it'll be worth it.

This will be one of the last two years before your daddy leaves. Enjoy it. He'll be gone from the time you're 12 until you're 17. Treasure the times you have now.

One more thing...what B.Y. is doing to you...that's wrong. And it's not your fault. And it's NOT your responsiblity to "be nice to him". He's never going to "pay (them) what he owes" and even if he were...you don't deserve to be prostituted that way. You will eventually gain the courage to stand up to him and make him stop...but what is happening to you isn't your fault. I love you and together we'll heal from this. I promise.

Much love!
Me