A letter to a younger me.

This was to be an entry in a recent challenge, however my wifi connection has decided it wants a divorce and refuses to join with me. I thus post it as an ordinary post.

Dear Stephen,

Hello, please let me introduce myself, I am a close friend of your Father and I am sending you this letter on his behalf, as the advice contained within it is what he needs you to hear.

Who I am is of no importance to you, you simply need to understand that this advice is for you, and only you. You are still too young to understand what is going on around you, so arrangements have been made for this letter to be delivered to you on your tenth birthday, when it is hoped you will fully comprehend the message it contains.

I am aware of everything that has happened to you in your life, and I know that deep inside you carry a great burden that was placed upon you by others. I know also of your immense feelings of rejection at home and of the nightmares that come to you in your sleep. I am also aware that you fear your Mother, and that you do not understand her violence. In this letter I will attempt to balance the turmoil that you feel inside, and allay your fears and insecurities. You must trust that everything that has happened in your life is no fault of yours, that is the single most important thing you must remember, you are not at fault.

The year is now 1962 and immense changes are taking place in your world, your body is awakening to puberty and you are growing taller and stronger than you have ever done. As you continue to grow you will begin realise that you are gifted with talent that hitherto you were not fully aware of. You must develop these talents as best you can as in later life they will reap you much benefit. You are a gifted artist and a natural creator, but it is not your love of art that will stand you in good stead. You do not yet realise, but you have an untapped resource in your natural ability to write.

You must hone this particular gift as best you can so that when the time comes your inner light will produce much success as a teller of tales. To this end continue your love affair with books and spend all the time you can afford in reading, continue to write in your diary as you have done for it's contents will become the basis for your first book. I know this sounds strange to you, but trust my words and listen well. You will one day gain great acclaim through your writing.

This is important. In four years time you be drawn to live a life in the military, refuse this and instead seek a position were you natural talents can be recognised. Seek instead a position as a reporter at a newspaper, while there your skill with words will flourish until at last you will gain the confidence you need to write your first collection of short stories. Do not follow the military path as it will leave you dejected and wasted.

In time you will come to terms with what happened to you as a child, and you will find forgiveness in your heart that will bring you inner peace, but until that time is upon you, bear no malice towards others for it leads to destruction.

I must now say goodbye to you Stephen. There is much more I could reveal to you, but as yet you are not equipped to deal with it. Be of good cheer and care for your Mother, the stresses placed upon her are at times too much. She loves you very much, but knows of no way to show it. Be patient, be understanding and trust that all I have said here in this letter is for you and you only.

In years to come my identity will become known to you, I trust you will not judge me too harshly for I mean only to give guidance.

Yours Always.

S.