Thakfle: On This Day in 2004

Hello! This is a journal entry I wrote on this day when I was in first grade, just before Thanksgiving rolled around. I'm going to transcribe the email as written first, and then provide a translation in case you can't read first-grader speak. I hope you like it!

November 24, 2004
I am sa m thle for my famaly and my frind's and my mom and dad and my toys and m

I am thankfle for my famaly. Becuse thay feed me. , my frind Bcuse they play wif me. I am takefle for my mom too. Becuse she thak's care of me., my toy's Becuse they are the best sege to intrest my baby sisr.

Translation:
November 24, 2004
I am so thankful for my family and my friends and my mom and dad and my toys and my...

I am thankful for my family, because they feed me, my friends because they play with me. I am thankful for my mom too, because she takes care of me. My toys because they are the best thing to interest my baby sister.

Analysis:
First of all, I would like to take note that spell check went crazy in that second unedited paragraph. Secondly, did you notice that I just booted my mom out of my family? Like, I said I was thankful for my family, then talked about my friends, and then I was like "Oh, by the way, I am thankful for my mom too!". Also, why aren't I thankful for my dad, my sister, or my pets? I remember being very thankful for those things in addition to my toys and mom. Additionally, did you notice that my toys were only referenced in relation to my sister? Do you know why? It was because I didn't really care much for my toys. Or, at least not as much as I cared about my dad, my sister, and my pets...

I don't know. My first grade self had her priorities pretty messed up.
<3 Lydia

A Letter to My Eighth Grade Self

Dear Past Self (circa eighth grade),
   Hi! This is you, in your (our?) senior year of high school. You made it! No, you were not held back multiple times like you expected. In fact, you even continued your education at the same slightly-snobby liberal arts school you started out at. 
   You know that one friendship you don't want to destroy, but also don't want to be miserable in? You will end up destroying it and breaking her heart. Sorry. But do not despair! After deciding that you don't deserve friendship for awhile in tenth grade, you will (very slowly) begin to develop new friendships and rejuvenate old friendships. You haven't even met some of your future friends yet.
   I know you are wondering about some things. Yes, you will be reunited with your history project friends (although not all of them will remain your friends). The leader of your grade will be restored to her throne. Your senior play is amazing so far. Yes, you will get an important role. No, you are not a terrible actor and yes, you will improve significantly.
   While I have your attention, a note on crushes: you will actually be totally fine if you don't end up dating anyone anytime soon. Trust me on this. You do not need some random guy in your class (who is definitely not interested in you by the way) to fall in love with you in order to be amazing. (Your future self is a bit of a feminist. Come to think of it, so is one of the guys you will like this year. He wouldn't approve, and neither do I.)

Please remember:

• Grambee's laugh
• that trying to be just a little bit happy is more beautiful than the poetic angst of being sad
• to actually try hard in all of your classes (Don't even try to tell me that you're trying your best. I have seen your useless internet browsing. I have written every note you passed in Latin class.)
• that amazing, supportive, and fun people are always around if you seek them out

Lots of love,

Your Future Self