letter from my 90yr old self…
{Instead of writing a letter to your 23yr old self, what might it be like to receive a letter from your 90yr old self? Seems to me its the difference between knowing-what-I-know-now and dreaming-what-I-dream-now. I invite you to read and then possibly dream up a similar letter from your ancient self}
*sweet tears*
the line about the bracelet unraveled me – well done!
Heidi, thank you…I like that line too.
So very beautiful!
Thank you, Joann…that phrase means a great deal.
In tears…..thanks for sharing this morning, John. Needed some perspective.
Great to hear from you, Lisa…this one simmered for about three days before I posted it.
Just beautiful. That is all.
Thanks for stopping by, Jo…
Exhaling slowly here, breathing in deeply at these beautiful, wise words.
Grace indeed.
Cheryl, thanks for leaving a string of lovely words…indeed.
Yeah, man… I like this.
I like this a lot.
Gracias, senor Haines…hope these new year days are treating you well.
Really enjoyed the read today, John.
Thank you, Sean…it’s great to hear from you!
I don’t really have anything to say after reading this lovely self-to-self letter. Just wanted to stand here in your comments section and wistfully smile at it.
Katie, thanks for standing and smiling…that speaks volumes.
I could write and erase the many things I’d like to say in response to this, but I’ll just leave it at
thank you, brother.
Also when you say damn, it reminds of the first post I read of yours. That was a good day.
You are stirring memory, Amber…for that and your ‘thank you’ I say ‘thank you back.’
[…] Amber and I experimented with some story-telling letters. On Tuesday, John Blase did the same. Go read his letter then come back here. Do you like the correspondence as a form of narrative story telling? Why […]
Time’s a handful of butter. Yum. I love that.
Though it’s all about the slippery dripping away of days, everyone knows that life tastes best slathered with the stuff, so don’t hold too tight, and mix up a batch of biscuits while you’re at it.
Thank you, Ann…I try to make biscuits every chance I can, they help the butter linger.
Speaking of lingering, John, I wanted to let you know that I’m going to create a link to this (we call it a “stub”) that will go live 8am Wednesday at The High Calling. I’d like people to visit (or revisit) this post and linger over your advice…and perhaps write something of their own.
I wish you could write me a letter from my 90-year-old self. Your 44-year-old self has more wisdom than 90-year-old self will. I loved the advice to take and eat the words; I love the words too. I have a feeling they will always be “it” for me too.
Charity, hi! Thanks for stopping in…Aw, I bet you can write a splendid letter from your 90yr old self…give it a whirl.
[…] blogs I read, and I came across a different spin on this letter writing idea. You can read about it here. I especially love the parts where the older version suggests to the younger version to take risks, […]
I have a feeling these words to yourself somehow bound you, giving a sense of purposeful grounding. Therapeutic, even. There are some strong words there – healing, hopeful. And beautiful.
Thanks for taking a moment to comment, Bradley…’grounded’ things aren’t invincible, but they are a little safer.
I think I just read something that could be a turning point for me in my old age (64). Your words and ponderings have left me kinda speechless…. But you can be sure I’ll read this again and again and learn from you and find direction and inspiration.
I found your blog today through The High Calling on Facebook. I’m so thankful.
Linda
Linda, I’m glad you found your way over here too…come back soon and thank you very much for your words.
I needed this. Before I read it, I was scared. I was scared that I needed to read it, and act upon it. Something just told me I’ll need; and I did!
This may very well be one of those monuments, this gypsy heart of mine will come to eternally cherish. You know? That place in one’s journey where you look back upon, and say, “Yes..it was that. It made all the difference.”
Thank you for writing this, for sharing your heart. This post was recommended by someone who inspires me, and I’m glad I made time for it.
Passion Scribe Lyriic, I’m glad you followed the recommendation…and I’m glad the words stirred your heart. Thank you for your words…mercy.
[…] decided to write our letters as if we were thirty-four years into the future (obligatory nod to the Sage). After you read this letter, check out Amber’s. Then MAKE SURE to visit Joy and Scott […]
I needed this today.
Megan, I’m glad you stopped by…
another lonely soul reaching out to the world for understanding amidst the pain
Thank you, Valerie.
People talk a lot about the world being a place filled with brokenness and rancor. That, it is. But it is also this: rich crimson, blue-bead bracelets, playing Santa, holding grandbabies, spontaneous trips to far-away places.
Yes, life is beautiful indeed.
Jennifer, yes it is beautiful…somedays I have to squint to see it, but its there…thanks for your comment.
“a bracelet of blue glass beads”
I want a poem just about these 🙂
loved the letter!
Thanks, L.L…I’ll ponder such a poem.
“God this life is beautiful. Should she find a bracelet of blue glass beads in a little shop in the village – buy it.”
Oh so compelling. Love this, John!
Hi, Kelly! Thanks for your words!
“just keep stubbornly writing what you see when you look.”
Yes.
Thank you, friend.
All’s grace,
Ann
Great to hear from you, Ann…I hope you are well.
Those lines about time melting like butter and the gelding of grief? They just puddled me. It’s been one of those days anyway.
And then there’s this: “We have an affinity for words, you and I, and these will prove both solace and grit. Take and eat them.” Might I add “share them?”
Going to find some tissue now.
Sandra, some days are puddly, aren’t they? Thanks very much for taking the time to write…
I’m so glad Ann featured this over at The High Calling. I think this is the first I’ve visited over here. I’m so glad I wandered over. I’m not yet ninety, but have lived long enough to recognize truth in your words. Some of those trips with my husband, the little trinkets we bought–touchstones of our time together–they’re so worth it. Thank you for this. Blessings.
Hello, Nancy…I’m glad you wondered/wandered over here too.
Grace, always grace,
John
I too like the bracelet. I’m about to have a jewelry party next Friday! (Like a tupperware party, you invite friends over to see and buy)
Love the whole concept, and want to write a letter to myself too. Thank you for this. I came over from High Calling.
Thank you for stopping by, highheartedly…
This was so rich. In every way. Thank you, So thankful to have read this, as I could definitnly use the perspective… God bless you.
Thanks very much, Kris…stop by again.
The age of cranky elegance — I’m right on the cusp of that, and I can say that’s one of the best descriptions I’ve heard.
This is all so true.
Nice to hear from you, Glynn…yes – cranky elegance – what a phrase!
*Love* That is all.
Thank you, Lisa…
The last thing my wife saw in a shop and “had to have” was acuddly toy penguin chick which she said was “cute.” I bought it for her. My 90 year old self knows it was worth it, just as my 45 year old self knows that marrying her was the second best decision of my life. The best? Accepting Christ as Saviour, of course!
[…] friend John Blase received a letter from his 90yr old self, and he invited me to do the […]
[…] my skin and lingered, but I didn’t really want to talk to my past. Then I read one writer’s Letter from my 90 year old self and was unexpectedly undone. I couldn’t imagine that far into the distance. With a birthday […]
Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve visited your blog before but after going through some of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m certainly happy I discovered it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back regularly!
This reminds me of the POWER in our words… you spoke beauty and blessings to yourself through the years. Just beautiful!