5.06.2008

If I Could Write a Letter to Me

This morning on my way to work I heard "Letter to Me" by Brad Paisley. The song is about a man writing a letter to himself at 17 and giving advice. I often wonder what I would tell my 17 year old self if we could sit down and talk. A lot of it is in that song...

"You've got so much up ahead
You'll make new friends
You should see your kids and wife
And I'd end up saying have no fear
These are nowhere near the best years of your life".

I would tell him that it all works out wonderfully. There would only be a few requests...

Spend more time with Mom and Kristy... you will still be close, but won't see them nearly enough.
Go get to know Dad... you will miss him more than you can imagine.
Go visit Cheyenne... you don't know her at all now.
Take Grandma and Grandpa out for dinner... you still learn so much from them.
Let Granny know that she always made you smile.
Work Out!... You are still lazy, but trying to overcome it.
Don't sweat not going to UGA... Your best friends and wife are at Georgia Southern waiting.
DON'T GET THE MBNA CARD!... It was way too stressful paying it off.
Tell Chad (while spending another late night over pancakes) the who's and the when's of our future are incredible... You should see your kids and wife!
Donate blood... It will mean more to you later.

In the end I would say enjoy it all. You are blessed more than you deserve.

Perhaps the lesson in all of this is to see the things that we didn't do well and attempt to do a better job now. To make sure that in 10 years we can look back and see less regret or things unfinished. I wonder what 37 yr old Brooks will have in store for me... I am excited to find out.

3 comments:

melia said...

That was beautiful and inspiring. (I'm Melia, Lindsay Jeffcoat's sister...thinking of you and Bethany and the girls daily)

Unknown said...

that was a really good read my friend!

I can just see it now..50 years old Adam, Kevin, and Brooks... We are all at the beach. I am cooking the burgers while you and Adam are next to me telling stories of how the "Presidents" were shafted out of a championship in multiple sports.
Adam is still ranting and raving about how Michigan still hasnt won a National Championship in football..you are telling how UGA is going for their 3rd Championship in the last 25 years and am telling you how UNC will win it all even if their record the year before is 5-9 because they actually recruited a 5 star QB named Ed Shirly...

Janna, Beth, and Sarah are inside whipping up some potateo salad talking about what women talk about( Instyle Mag, Window Dressing, etc..)..

Mike(21yrs)and Emma Kate Hawk(22yrs) are out hanging out wih Anna Brooke(24yrs) and her new hubbie(some UNC grad) because thats were they met..While Little Jade and Trinty Windham(15yrs twins), Brooks jr.(16yrs old), and Jack hawk(15yrs) are running around causing all kinds of trouble..

Thats a day at 50 years old at the beach..

Anonymous said...

Hi, Thanks for the comment on my blog. I was reading your blog about Emma Kate. I used to work for Pediatric Cardiology at UAB. They are an amazing group of doctors who really take the best care of their patients. I'd be happy to give you their number, etc. They treated a lot of babies with HLHS with great outcomes. Prayers for Emma Kate and your family!