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A letter from my youth


Below is a letter I wrote to a friend when I was 20 and he was 19 or so. It amazes me not because it's particularly sage advice, or even well crafted. I cringe at the unnecessary commas and typos and spelling errors. But it amazes me because even now, 5+ years later I'm still using the isolation model as a means for personal growth. I'm starting to think that I was on to something. 

I'm still unsure of this blog's direction, but since this is my little corner of the web-o-sphere I'll share whatever I like. :) Please share your thoughts, warm-fuzzies, stories of growth, etc. in the comments section. Happy first week of Fall!!

Hey,
we just got off the phone, and I came back to my homework, and you know how it
takes me years to process things.

Ok, I think that my not being in your life has been exactly what you needed.
This time apart was good for you, and I think you might need more. I mean, you
said today, you're trying to change everyhting about yourself, and you've laid
the ground work for it. And you're doing a wonderful job. I'm not saying I'm a
bad influence on you, I'm just saying... I needed to move to Beaumont for a
reason, I needed to go to Lon Morris for a reason....to be by myself. yes, I
made friends there, and I still see them, but the reason I went to those places
(other than school) was because I needed the isolation. Isolation makes you think, it makes you evaluate.
why do you think the worst punishment in prison is solitary confinement? Makes
you think man. makes you think.

not that ths is punishment for anything, I just think God (or alla, buddha, the
powers that be) has a reason for everything. and I know and you know that we'll
end up sipping tea together looking at the hot 18 year olds when we're in our
90's...so this isn't the brush off, this isn't the pause button, this is the
let's grow...think of it like branches, we're still part of the same tree, and I
don't ever want that to change.

I think this has been so good for you, you're walking again, and soon you'll be
at a full run down your path. and I'm not saying I wasn't there for you, because
I think I've made it clear enough in our friendship that I'll always suport you
in whatever you do- except herion :)

in conclusion, there's nothing wrong between us, it's jsut a different existence
for our friendship, our best friendship.

I love you,
angela

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