Dear Young Rhonda,
Everyone around you is doing exciting things like camping, being outside, taking trips, and living life. Trust me, when you get older you too will be able to enjoy those things. I know that you do not know what many things are or how to act in many situations because you are being groomed into someone else’s vision. Do not be angry instead, learn what you like and what you do not, because when you are older you will have to define Rhonda. I know there are no boundaries between your relationship with others and you want to be perfect, but it is okay to make mistakes. It is okay to be a child.
While many of your memories will be defined by illness and hospital rooms, remember to remain kind, and humble, and continue the journey with God. In the future, you will have time to enjoy the life and times that you dream of.
Dear Teenage Rhonda,
As you are growing into a woman, it is important to focus on standing up for yourself. You need to remain strong, and build independence because you may find yourself being dependent eternally on others. I wish you could have read this before, because you are wonderful, just the way you are, and deserve all of the good things that are coming your way. You are smart, beautiful, and capable. You are enough. Life may seem hard as you try to form boundaries, but remain with the task, there is freedom at the end. Walk outside of your comfort zone, be brave. Learn to take risks, mistakes are okay.
Dear Adult Rhonda,
Physically running away does not fix the need to mentally separate. Make sure you learn the difference. Be a resource without bringing home other people’s troubles. Life is looking up as boundaries are set and your immediate family is viewing you differently. Let their comments flow like water under a bridge. Do not harden your heart towards them but do not stand for their ignorance.
As you continue to walk into your being, put God first and let Him continue to guide you. Work hard and play harder, get outside and feel the breeze. You have been through so much and learned even more, you deserve to receive all of the good things that life has to offer. Keep doing things that scare you, like skydiving, and keep doing things you have never done before, like swimming in the ocean. Be careful and travel the world.
No one can stop you but you, so hold that close and go after the things you seek. Dream bigger, laugh louder, and love more.
Dear Senior Rhonda,
Looking back, you sure have lived. You have left no stone unturned, no question unanswered. As we prepare for the next journey, I hope you say you are proud of the things you have accomplished and learned so much from the things you have been through. I pray you carry no regrets or suffer from dreams that you did not make into a reality.
What a ride this life was, and what an amazing ride the next life will be. May God smile down on you and Jesus welcome you with joy.
You did well.
Disencumbering my Chains 