I had read a story awhile back about a 12-year young lady that wrote a letter to her future self 10 years later (today.com). Her name was Taylor Smith and she ended up making headlines not only for the novel idea of the letter but for unfortunately passing away from pneumonia.
That Christmas in 2014 I decided to start this as a family tradition, getting the kids down at the dinner table, telling them this story and informing them that they would love to hear about today much farther down the line from them.
It’s been 10 years and last night I read my letter. Suffice to say I’m proud of myself.
Matthew James Heick | 25/Dec/2014
Hey Matthew,
Well, today you came up with a crazy idea to have each of the kids write a letter to themselves that they can read 10-years from now. You gave them specific instructions to write about themselves 10-years down the line, and you were going to do the same. On 25/Dec/2024 we all can open these up and read them out.
This is the second Christmas I’ve spent at moms, sleeping on the couch. It felt weird since I just bought a new bed. I am also a bit in shock after I had learned yesterday that Mark was moving out yesterday. I took him in cause I felt sorry for his ass, and he took advantage of the situation and vegetated for months… I’m glad to have some decent privacy now.
You are also feeling the pain of what could be the second divorce. At this time you feel she is just running away from shame and pain, and your giving time for her to reconsider her last “no” in hopes the spark is still there. After so long of separation I guess words don’t speak louder than actions. If she does not reconsider then it is pretty much done. Her name is Djie Nancy.
You work at a place called Synacor, and was originally hired as a release engineer by Kristopher Davison. After the first cut he was the driving force behind your rehiring. If you stay in this career he is the guy to remember.
You also still pay for UVDeviant. It is going on it’s 5-Years and still pays out money. You know there are still things you can do with it, but your too lazy to care or see the financial payoff. If marriage #2 dies, this can die as well.
You live in West Seneca now, and you have been since you returned back from the US from Hong Kong. Your Landlord is a pretty cool guy, charging you $650/month in rent and finally taking drew in for you.
Angelique is writing her note now, and I just scolded her for “scratching” out words. I asked Savannah to do the letter first, but she is too preoccupied with the “frozen” soundtrack. Mom is watching a DVR’d soap opera, and this is no suprise.
You know you need 1 year of good credit for a house, and this is one of your goals. Even after so many years of divorce from Jen the debt still carries to today.
Devon just started with his letter, and mom felt like she needed to “chime in” on how to do this. Another of your goals is to get all the brats with you, but I mainly hesitate because they are so well established with the school, scouts, and friends. You know you need a female figure in their life that won’t openly argue about them with any of them around. Nancy was good for this, and with her gone it is going to be difficult to find a replacement.
What do you do between 33 and 43, only fate knows. You think, or more believe you need a significant other. You have savings and are pretty frugal. You fear being alone.
Jamie just started with his letter. He seems really, really, reluctant to do this, but I think his will not only be the shortest but the most …interesting… letter of them all. I was going to write that he loves Minecraft and can speak of it in droves, but he seems to now have taken off writing his letter. This makes me a happy dad knowing this is a good idea.
As of your last checking with Dr. Nick Aquino things are fine. You even went to Mercy Hospital due to chest pains recently (last month?) and they couldn’t find anything wrong. Hopefully you would have been used to “the finger” at this age.
So, your only main worries now are housing the kids, keeping work and money rolling in, and finding that other person who will stay. Hopefully you have the mortgage and the car, and good credit. Hopefully all 4 are smarter than you and changing the world for good. Hopefully you have quit smoking and look decent for your age.
You also know you ramble, and that might be good…
Cheers, old man.
You —