Life in a box... letter to my younger self (forever thankful)

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Dear Joey,

One day you’ll drop the “y.”

It’s Thanksgiving 2020, you’re probably sitting down reading this and wondering a few things. How is this possible? Am I still handsome when I’m old? Do I have luscious long hair? Am I rich?

Unfortunately, I can’t answer those questions... although yes you do age like a perfect barrel of whiskey.

But, let’s get down to it. Look man I know you’re young and life’s just getting started for you. I want to start by saying it’s all gonna work out. I can’t tell you how, what happens, or what to change because if you change anything you won’t be the man you are today. Things are gonna be tough. Life’s a bitch! And it’s gonna kick your ass. You’re gonna fail, be hurt, fall, break, and hit the bottom more than once.

What falls can get up, fails can succeed, what breaks can be fixed, and you can only go up from the bottom. You’re going to have to suck that shit up and have some grit. You’re gonna struggle to trust people, you’ll push them all away so they can’t get close. You’ll tell your story to the world one day it’s gonna help others on their journey. It’s a lonely road and you’re not always want to get up in the morning. But, there’s gonna be people who rely on you and need you.

One day you’re gonna look back like I am today and be grateful and thankful for the bumps in the road. The journey is long and you’re still traveling. But, you’ll be sitting outside on a Thursday afternoon at your brothers house. It’s gonna be 72 degrees outside and sunny. The people who truly love you will be here and you’re gonna be thankful you have them in your life. Hugs and kisses will be like gold and therapy to your soul.

You’re gonna get to this point in your life and look back like I am and be glad you never changed anything at all. It’s gonna suck! But it will be worth the suck, embrace that shit! embrace it and never let it go. This pain is gonna mold you, shape you, form you, and be you. Fuck what other people think about you! You’re gonna be your own man, a leader, a lover, and fighter. You’re one tough son a bitch Joe. Not a lot of people can endure the hardships you’ve been through. Not a lot people can take that beating and have the balls to say “I can do this all day.”

You’re young now, so enjoy it. Always be yourself and never let anyone tell you otherwise. Let your mistakes be lessons and let your problems be opportunities. Let your hurt be fuel, and let the pain make you want more. Let the tears and the blood run off you like a waterfall and let the scars shape you into a mountain of perseverance. Take a step forward each day at time, one by one, but never go backwards.

When you don’t feel like getting up, get the fuck up. When you don’t feel like going on, move your ass! When you wanna quit, don’t.

You’re gonna make it little man, you’re gonna be a badass. You can get through anything, and you’re gonna prove to all the ones who didn’t love you in the past that they made a mistake. It was their loss! You’re a fucking King Joe, so act accordingly...

⁃ The older you.