Dear Abbie,

Dear Abbie,

Hey, it's me, well actually you, but only you're ten years older. I thought you should know what your life will be like.
When your eight, your best friend parents will get a divorce. Even though you'll be scared to death that she'll have to move away, she won't, so don't worry. And then when you're ten, her mom will get a new boyfriend, Bill. He's a great guy, and you'll get to be really good friends with him. But you should know that he'll leave, because of a really bad rumor, and you'll be really hurt. Then when you're twelve, you'll be offered a cigarette. Whatever you do don't accept it. You won't be able to quit, no matter how hard you try. When you're thirteen mom and dad will move you to a new school. Don't hate them for it, because it turns out for the better, and you'll make new friends. When you're fourteen your best friends mom will commit suicide. Nobody knows why other then she was depressed. She shoots herself in the heart with a pistol and lays on the living room floor for days. So make the most of the time you have with her. When you're fifteen mom will start to get sick, and nobody knows what it is because dad doesn't make enough money to take her to the doctor. You'll have to start doing more around the house, because Chris is at college and Ashley works and is never home. When you're sixteen mom will go to the doctor and will find out she has Parkinson's.He changes jobs and now does sub-contracting. And things will get really hard because dad's boss doesn't get him paid on time. You'll have to do even more at home because you're the oldest now with Ashley at college. When you're seventeen you'll reunite with an old boyfriend. You dated him twice before and still have feelings for him. He'll tell you he leaves for bootcamp for the Marines in two weeks. And then he'll ask you for another chance. Tell him yes, and follow your heart because it's right. Also no matter what you do don't lie to dad, he always knows. You'll have a rough life but it gets better, and you'll always have people around you there to help. I hope this helps prepares you for what's ahead. I know it won't be easy but you'll make it through.

              Sincerely,
        Abbie Nichole Carlton
          Ten Years Wiser