If you could write a letter to your 16 year old self, what would you say and what advice would you give? South Africa’s beloved Archbishop Desmond Tutu picked up his pen and took a trip down memory lane. See Street Service News.
It got me thinking… what would Vincent, Louise, Elisabeth, Frederic, etc. have written to their younger selves? It would be really wonderful if we could develop some sharing around this.
Doesn’t have to be the 1012 word length of Desmond Tutu’s. In fact it might even a 140 character Tweet. Maybe a haiku? Click on the comment button.
Amanda?
Tags: Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton, Frederic Ozanam, letter, Louise de Marillac, Vincent
Writing one from the perspective of St Louise as we speak 🙂
http://drinkdeeplymydaughter.blogspot.com/2012/01/st-louise-de-marillac-writes-letter-to.html
The 80 year old Vincent tweeted back his younger self…
“God certainly did write straight with crooked lines – I ran from poverty to find God – but found God in those living in poverty”
Haiku of Vincent reflecting on his life
First millet, sheep, prayer
now feeding, guiding and interceding
for God’s poor.
Around the age of 40, Elizabeth Seton actually did write a notebook of advice for her daughter Catherine. I think she was speaking to her own younger self! I interpret some of her advice as follows (note that these are my own words):
If I could live my life again, I would be kind to everyone, but let few into my deepest heart. I would have the courage to do what I knew to be right, acting quietly and calmly, without concern about what others think.
Dear Regina,
Is there a link to that notebook?
Such a creative idea!! I think Vincent would be very hesitant to write such a letter though. He would think, What could I possibly say to myself except, “Keep seeking, keep finding God in the poor, keep trying not to tread on the heels of Providence. Keep looking for new ways to meet the ever changing and always present needs of those most desperate and get as many others to be involved as possible.
Dear 16 year old Georgia,
Wake up and look around you. Ask more questions like, why is it all this way and not like the books say it ought to be?
Search. and the search some more. Get on the bus and circle the city (of Chicago) at least once a week, looking out the windows. Ask yourself: why is it so different in each part of town?
You are just a teenager, young one. Ask. Search. Wonder why things are as is. Talk to Mary as if she sat next to you in the bus seat. Try to see and think with her vision, her eyes, her mind to interpret everything you see.
Realize that no answer is easy or simple.
Sincerely, me,at age 72