Dear Future Son (from K. Austin)

Dear J.J.,

I will start off by saying that I love you more than anything. As your mother I will be here for you no matter what, and I want nothing but the best for you.

As you grow, I do expect for you to make mistakes in overcoming obstacles simply because you are human. I want you to grow into a successful young man, have a career and fulfill your dreams to the best of your abilities.

It will benefit you greatly if you listen to us, your parents. Do what you are told and be honest with yourself. Always remember that you can talk to me about anything, whether it brings discomfort or not. Stay true to yourself and follow your heart. Talk to God and stay loyal to Him. Innovate, develop your ideas and reach as far as you can. With all this said, I want most of all for you, Jordan Lawrence, Jr. to be happy!

Love,

Mommy

(KeAnda Austin, 11th Grade)

For My Future Child

My Dear Child,

I hope you listen to me and know that life may seem easy right now because you have the freedom of running and playing around. As you grow up, it will get harder. As time goes by you'll get smarter and then sometimes you won't know what to do. Please do not always follow the crowd, because that is not always the best choice. Most of the time, the people you want to follow don't care and don't want to hear your voice. I just want you to make the right choice. Be kind and gentle. Treat people with respect like a person should. Strive to do your best even if you think that everything you do now will become a vague memory later.

Love,

Mom

(Arnesha Randall, 9th Grade)

Dear Self (from K. Warren)

Dear Kenyatta,

I remember you being the youngest of them all, the second girl in a family of all boys. You had no choice but to be a tomboy, because the "girlie girl" was born first. You were so sweet and innocent and could make anybody smile. You were Miss SDA in Gulfport, Mississippi and known around the town.

Today as I look at you, I see that you are smart and funny. Everybody likes you; you're very popular. You're an athlete too. You have a mother and father who support you in everything you do. You have two older sisters and two younger brothers. All four can be very annoying, but you manage and make it through.

As I write this letter to you, I am fourteen and a half. I wanted to let you, my inner child, know how much you will change. Know that you will get better and better over the years.

Sincerely,

Older Than You

(Kenyatta Warren, 9th Grade)

Photo Credit: Debbie Duggar at EyeFetch.com

Dear Past Self (from A. Frederick)

Dear Past Self,

I thank you for letting me build up to where I am today. All the hard work you did helped me to get where I am today. Hopefully, I will continue to keep the hard work up, because times are now hard. But I know that if I can keep up the good work that rewards will come.

One piece of advice I can give is that hard work pays off. To be successful, you have to work hard. That's why I am now trying to be involved in a lot of programs The more activities that I am involved in, the better opportunities you will have in the future.

With love and respect,

Aaron

(Aaron Frederick, 9th Grade)

To My Future Children

Dear Eli and Payton,

Even though you are not physically here, I feel as if you were. I put my everything into finishing high school on time and going to college. I graduted from Georgia State with a CRNA degree. Your father and I got married before you were born. I have big dreams for you two. I want for you to take advantage of all the opportunities we provided for you.

Here is my advice: Do not take your education for granted. Do not get anyone pregnant before you are married. Do not let anyone detour you from your dreams or involve you in anything illegal. I grew up in the '90s and early '00s. Even though it was a time of little problems, I still struggled to succeed. I only hope that you take my words to heart.

I love you guys more than I have ever loved anything in my life.

All my love,

Mama

(M. Cannon, 11th Grade)

Dear Future Self (from J. Scott)

Dear Future Self,

You have truly made it a long way. You've been through many obstacles; however, you overcame them all.

I know it feels good to make your own money and have your own house. Even though you haven't settled down yet, it will surely come. You are really an inspiration for all the young girls out there. Everything they go through to become a young lady, you have been through. You graduted at the top of your class without conceiving a child. You attended college then enlisted in the United States Air Force. You have traveled around the world and don't have to wait on ANYONE hand and foot.

You have made through. Congratulations!

All my love,

Ja'Keila

(Ja'Keila Scott, 9th Grade)

Dear Future Self (from A. Pace)

Dear Future Self,

I hope that you don't continue to make the same mistakes you've made in the past. I hope you have learned to forgive the people who have done you wrong. I hope that you have changed your ways from the Amahdiyya that was very selfish and inconsiderate.

I hope tht you are in college getting good education to prepare you for something you've always dreamed of doing. I hope you aren't pregnant. I hope your mom is still alive. I hope that you and your father are talking and seeing each other on a regular basis. I hope that you don't get caught up in alcohol and weed.

I hope you grow, stay a leader and not a follower. I hope that you meet a nice boy who respects you. I hope you get to travel around the world and help people. I hope you know that I have faith in you.

With love,

Amahdiyya

(Amahdiyya Pace, 9th Grade)

Dear Future Self (from S. Lowe)

Dear Future Self,

All I can say is that you've grown so much. You've learned how to pick and choose your friends, how to maintain a healthy and happy life and also how to be successful. Your dreams have come true. You've given back to the world. You are a true humanitarian and have made an impact on so many lives. Not only do you have financial stability, but you have a new family. You have not always been perfect but, with God's help, you have tried to turn away from anything bad. You are now a responsible adult.

As an international aid worker, your job is to travel to "less fortunate" countries to help improve their way of life. I may be creating a better water source or bringing better technology or imroving medical conditions. I can say tht I am very proud of you and hope that you share everything you've learned with the generations that follow.

Much love,

Shundreya

(Shundreya Lowe, 9th Grade)

Dear Future Self (from K. Huggins)

Dear Future Self,

You know of all of your problems. You know that in your family girls have become pregnant early. Break the chains. Boys like sex. That's all they want. Say no to drugs. It's all bad. You know you are intelligent. Get into more academic clubs. You are thin for a reason; use your body for sports. "Love is blind." Don't judge a book by a cover. Everyone is equal. You're great, and don't you ever forget it. You're a beautiful, strong, intelligent, loving and caring mother and wife. You are one of the best medical doctors in the U.S. You've graduated from Spelman and Emory. You are married to a loving man. He is an architect, and together you make over thirty figures. You have two kids named MacKenzie Ashley Marie and Payton Jamal. They are beautiful. You live in a great house. You are lucky!

I love you,

Kayla

(Kayla Huggins, 9th grade)