Monday, September 17, 2007

Birthday Letters to Myself -- Part 4

"The Big Four-O"

Dear 40 yr old self: OK, self, you’re 40 now – statistically, your life is half over, half gone, fading into the sunset like the geriatric you are .... so let’s set some priorities for this last half. Everyone, EVERYONE, gets 24 hours in a day. People who complain (hello, mirror? And I'm sick of hearing it from you. I mean, from me. Whatever, shut up about it already) about “I’m too busy” or “I don’t have time” are simply spouting synonymous for “I’m not managing my time properly” or “Quite frankly, although I talk the talk, it’s just not a main concern." At least that's how I feel about it. So, first of all, quit spending so much time on the computer. Get outside and play more with your kids. One of these days they won’t WANT to be with you so you should enjoy it while you can. Instead of talking about exercising, get up and do it. Don’t chat about eating healthy with a box of Milk Duds in front of you. Rather than talking about scrapbooking, get up and do it. Instead of complaining about laundry, get up and ….. well, ok, you’re always going to complain about laundry. But my point is, I know you’re thinking about shutting down Kendrie’s Caringbridge page and moving to Blogger because you think you’ll spend less time on the computer. Your daily/weekly calendar is no longer determined by doctor’s appointments, chemo schedules, blood counts, and constant driving to and from Atlanta. Utilize this gift of time --- spend it wisely. Otherwise, this milestone year will go by and you’ll be left wondering, “What the heck did I DO, anyway???” Also, one last piece of advice: Remember at your 40th birthday party, when you finally, finally work up the amount of alcohol courage necessary to karaoke, that volume does not necessarily equal talent. And that if you serenade scream the entire drunken rendition of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” -- the long version -- to your best friend in Oklahoma, on a cell phone, there is the possibility it will be saved as a .wav file and endure, to your embarrassment, forever.

14 comments:

Brenda said...

Love it. Love them all. Touching and funny.

Karen said...

I love this letters to yourself idea. My 41st b-day is next month (that sounds scary!)... maybe I should do something like this.

Anonymous said...

Oh well. At least it's hard to e-mail wave files. Now if, say, she were to save it instead as an mp3, she could email it very, very easily. To a bunch of people whose email addresses are still listed on the caringbridge site. I'm just saying.

Unknown said...

THIS SOUNDS REALLY COOL,
THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT ALL.
LILY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hope you had a great birthday!
Kristina
Brookville, OHIO

Anonymous said...

Louis saved it?????

Anonymous said...

I'm having compliment instead of comment day and I just wanted to say I've been following you for a couple of years and I am so amazed and impressed with your ability to keep your sense of humor during the worst of situations. I'm happy to hear you're moving back to OK. It will be a better place wtih you and your family here!

Miguelita said...

I have LOVED these letters and I plan to shamelessly copy this idea when i hit 40 later this year.

Anonymous said...

Dear Kristie,

HAPPY (BELATED) BIRTHDAY!!! I hope you had a very good day. I just read back through your letters to yourself, they are great, one day you must write the book, you know it would sell!
Give my best wishes to Blaine, I hope he is feeling ok.
Take care,
love Angela

Anonymous said...

Dear 40+something Kristie - Please don't ever remove Kendrie's site. It is filled with important information - both medically and personally. I had contacted you privately when a friends' daughter was diagnosed and want to remind you that it was ALL (no pun intended) that you wanted it to be. The honesty, humor and heartache documented Kristie style is classic. All your words of wisdom and hard earned experience NEEDS to be obtainable at the first sign of crisis. When you are a deer staring into the headlights, you need the guidance that you provided...and in the lull of panic and sorrow - the reminder that there are other children in the family with needs. You validate how much humor needs to survive too - even when it was at your very own expense. Journal on - just please don't remove! Thanks. Randy

Quinn said...

I hope I am as happy and content as you are when my big 4-0 rolls around. Hope your birthday was great!

Anonymous said...

If you close down Kendrie's site, could you please post the "Crap Sandwich" essay here? My neighbor's daughter has been fighting leukemia since 2001, and it's the best description I've seen of what their ordeal has been like.

Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I, for one, would miss keeping up with the wonderful Escoe family if you stopped your blog altogether. So I hope you will keep it up, if even only once a week. It is a highlight of my day to read your wonderul articles. Happy, Healthy 4oth Birthday!!

Love,
Sandy G.

Anonymous said...

I have been reading your CB site and this one for sometime now and would probably start having withdrawls if you shut it down. You are such an inspiration for many of us mothers. You have taught us to look for the humor in everyday life. Please continue to write. You have a natural talent with words and leave most of us laughing everytime we log on. ~Catherine~ catherinerea@comcast.net