Dear future me,

You are about to graduate to graduate school. You are probably starting to consider different job opportunities. You are facing the reality that everything is about to change once more, and you are getting dangerously close to having to actually pay back all your student loans. Your youngest brother is graduating alongside you, from high school of course. You have made the best of every opportunity and grown into the shoes of an educator you were always meant to wear. I know there is more greatness ahead of us but before you move forward it is time to reflect and remember. Then you will be ready to blaze ahead armed with the tools only experience brings.

I do not know if you will remember writing this letter in your room watching the rain  pour over the lush Shenandoah Valley listening to a mix of Spanish and English songs from YouTube in the background. I do know that you remember the important and meaningful moments of your college experience. You remember the times you spent the night playing games and watching movies with your friends. You remember the funny jokes made both at and with you. I hope reading this you “are not so tired you could laugh at a slice of cheese.” If you are, I hope you get some sleep soon!

Although the best moments in life are often the most spontaneous, there are some goals I hope you have accomplished. First, It has to be said, GPAs are not the most important things in any context, but if you have kept up that 4.0, that would be fantastic! Although I do not know if you will be reading this before or after you finish your senior year, so I do not know if you can change anything at this point so no pressure (okay some pressure but we will be fine either way). On a better note, I really hope this trip to Argentina was everything we hoped. I am sure you laughed, cried, and had the time of your life. I also hope you have continued our volunteer activities. The single most important part of life is the impact you make on the people you have been blessed enough to encounter every day. Plus even fourth grade us knew that, so I expect big things. I am also interested in how our relationships are doing. Gather phone numbers, and know that even if things do not work out with Sawyer for the long haul that everything happens for a reason and I already have the feeling that you two will never really lose touch no mater what happens.

Now that I have probably stressed myself out with my crazy expectations, again, there is some advice I hope you will take because you are about to enter another adventure. Never be afraid to take a leap out over the cliff into the unknown, just do not forget to look first. Always be open to life’s little surprises, and embrace the big ones because they are often some of the most memorable moments. Take some time to slow down rest, relax and reflect on all you have accomplished because you will need your all to continue to climb the mountains ahead. When it seems that nothing is going your way, remember  all of your friends, family and professors who have been beside you supporting you every step of the way. They have loved and supported you unconditionally, and they deserve credit for that. With that kind of force backing you there is nothing you cannot do!

I know you must have a lot on your mind, as always, so if there is one thing you get from this letter, remember the next paragraph. To be content, you need very little. Count your blessings daily both big and small. Show kindness and love to everyone around you. Do your best to understand the complexities of life and admire the simple wonders. Finally, keep moving towards your dreams and never stop living in the moment.

Sincerely,

Taylor Bauer of May 28, 2017