Note: Every week, a member of the Blogenning chooses a theme for the lot of us. This week it’s Brandon, and the theme is a letter to ourselves 10 years ago.

Dear Tom of 2001,

If I were to tell you I’m writing this from the future, you (rightly) wouldn’t believe me. I can’t say I blame you. I barely believe I’m writing you. It’s sort of a bizarre thing, after all, isn’t it? The idea that so much of your life has happened already, and you’re still in high school, saving up for that school trip to London and Paris. Well I have some proof to throw down here, and it’s in the way of bad news. That trip is going to be cancelled something fierce. If this “writing back in time” thing is working correctly, then you’re reading this paragraph on September 8, 2001. In 3 days, New York City is going to be seriously changed in a very permanent way. No one is going to see it coming, and when you find out about it, you will be hearing rumors in the hallways on your way to your free period, around 9 am. You’ll be in the cafeteria, having a slice of school pizza, and you will see the news. Your job during that time is to simply be. Be there for your friends, be there for momentous moment.

Our parents still remember where they were when they heard Kennedy was shot, I’m sure. You will remember this moment for a very, very long time. I promise you that. Now put this down, Tom, and come back in a week or so, once you know I’m speaking truth. Continue reading →