Dear Maggie of Spring 2020

You don’t know it yet, but this year will be one of your worst and best years. I know the pandemic is just hitting now, you don’t have to wear masks yet (Trust me it isn’t as bad as it sounds). I know you’re sick of being in the house, but soon you’ll start to go on hikes with all of your friends. Those hikes and early mornings to see the sunrise will be your highlights of the summer, I promise. You don’t know it yet, but you’re still dating Jake. Your first relationship and you’ve been dating for over a year! A lot of things are hard in the year that separates you and me. You go to college, but realize that being so far away from home isn’t very good for your mental health. But that’s okay! You come back home and get to spend more time with your family and friends. And you get a new job! You work at HomeGoods now, and yes it’s retail but you really like the people you work with and you make some new friends. The hardest part of this year will be while you’re away at college because Trouble passes away. So hold that cat really tight for me and give him all the love I wish I could still give him. And yes the house feels lonely without him but you’re going to get a new kitten. Maybe it takes you a while to pick out a name because the shelter said it was a boy but turns out she’s a girl. But you’re going to name her after an unsolved mystery because you got her in October and that seems fitting. And you love her so much even though she likes to claw everything in the house and has a meow that sounds like she’s a smoker of fifty years. But she’s cute and cuddles right on your lap (but only when she decides to). You don’t know it yet but this time at home will make you appreciate where you grew up. You’ll appreciate your parents more and you’ll love spending time with them. I think the biggest thing this crazy year has made me learn is that I need to appreciate the little things in life, and not spend all my time waiting for the future. So hug Trouble, FaceTime your friends until ungodly hours of the night, explore new trails, because before you know it all that free time that you hate so much will be gone, and you’ll miss it. 

Sincerely, 

You One Year Later 🙂