What I had learned at 18

Over the weekend, I found some old stuff from high school - basketball posters that hung in my locker, funny drawings from friends, and a poem.

I am insanely sentimental, and I cannot bear to part with anything (much to Evan's delight.) I finally, just a few months ago, threw away a bag of ticket stubs and brochures from my childhood vacations. It's a little ridiculous. Somewhere along the years, I got rid of notes that my friends and I passed back and forth in high school and am a little regretful. How amusing would those be to read? Imagine - notes with a paper and pen...no texting!

While I've always loved to write, I didn't really write much poetry. But I found this one poem that I wrote when I was a senior in high school, 18 years old.

In the spirit of throwback, here's an awesome pre-prom picture of my 18-year-old self with my brother 

Despite the embarrassment of putting my teenage poetry on my adult blog, I wanted to share this...because I am amazed at how much it applies to my life now...and by the reference to skin...

I've learned in my life
Love often comes with pain
But if you don't want the hurt
You'll never love again

I've learned in my life
Things aren't always fair
But you have to learn to accept some things
Just as they are

I've learned in my life
to look at a person by his soul
If you merely look at his skin
You won't see much more

I've learned in my life
To smile
You'll find that it plays a big part
in making life worthwhile

I've learned in my life
to take a deep breath
Being busy is good
but so is a rest

I've learned in my life
to decide for yourself the person to be
Let no one else change you
Through your own eyes you must see...