7 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Turned 15

1.  Don't get into the habit of procrastinating because more time isn't promised.

When you make a habit of something, it becomes hard to stop.  When you have time, you shouldn't be lazy and put things off because that same amount of time isn't promised later.  You never know what could happen in that time period.  There could be a family emergency or another surprise that prevents you from getting things done that could have been done earlier.  Getting behind on things can cause loss of sleep, which can cause stress.  Avoiding putting things off can save you the stress of the aftermath.

2.  Build a close relationship with your family, especially your siblings.

I can honestly say that this would be my number one wish because this has caused me a lot of grief and stress that I have no business having at fifteen years old.  If you don't have a strong relationship from the beginning, then there is a very strong chance that it could get worse as years pass.  It could go either way.  For the lucky ones, a strong relationship could be the result of maturity with age, however, it could be the complete opposite for the unfortunate ones.  Therefore, if you had a strong relationship with your family from the start, it could prevent many headache-causing arguments.

3.  Bottling up your feelings never works.  If anything, it only makes things worse.

Thinking that you can keep your feelings from everyone may seem possible BEFORE your feelings start building up.  Once your feelings start building up, it feels like a weight that keeps getting heavier with every building feeling.  Believe it or not, it feels much better with people knowing than the overwhelming weight on your shoulders. 

4.  Try not to judge people before you get to know them.

I had to learn this early on in life when I used to judge people because I thought they were weird.  I learned that the coolest people are weird!  As I look back, I can honestly say that the best people that I've ever met were "weird".  I know I'm weird because sometimes my actions seem strange to people that don't know the reason behind them.  I have had to learn that it is best to judge someone by their personality instead of the surface. 

5.  Treat the people you love as if you would never see them again.

In today's world, anything can happen.  Freak accidents can happen that could take the life of someone that you love.  You should treat people you love like you'd never see them again because life is short.  When you say goodbye to someone, you should feel content that he/she knew that you loved them.

6.  If you have the power of preventing someone from making a bad decision, then do it.

If you see someone about to make a bad decision, then you should try to talk some sense into that person.  If something happens to him/her, then you would have to live with all of the guilt.  You could spend the rest of your life thinking "What if".  Thinking about what could have happened if you had done things differently wouldn't help you at all.  Therefore, helping someone to not make a bad decision would also help you.

7.  Enjoy having no responsibilities as a kid.

People say that they wish they could go back to when they were kids because they wouldn't have as many responsibilities as a kid.  That's most of the fun of being a kid!  As a child, you could play games most of the time and take naps without the worry of the responsibilities of being a teenager.  Your parents take care of you and provide for all of your needs as a kid, but then you have to grow up and start doing those things for yourself as a teenager.  It's nice to live in the moment when you have no worries or responsibilities.  It's too bad it doesn't last.     

Best Friends For Life

“What if they don’t like me?”

“They’ll love you!”

“What if they stare?”

“If they stare, it’s only because they’re curious, but too scared to talk.”

“What if I don’t make a friend?”

“Honey, stop worrying.  Everything will be alright.  I’m sure there will be one special person that will want to be your friend.”

Cheyenne looked at her mom and smiled.  She could always make her feel better with a few comforting words.  As nervous as Cheyenne was, she was going to need them. 

Today was Cheyenne’s first day back to school after the accident and the move.  She didn’t want to go, fearing the looks she would get because of her arm.  She was still getting used to the metal hook that replaced her hand.  Cheyenne hated the hook; it just reminded her of the night of the accident that took both her dad and her arm.

As Cheyenne entered the fifth grade classroom, everyone became silent. 

“Class, this is Cheyenne.  She just moved from New York and is your new classmate. You remember how you felt on your first day, so please make her feel welcome.”

Cheyenne walked to the only vacant desk located near the middle of the room and felt the eyes watching her.  She pulled her sleeve down to hide the shiny hook and kept her head down.  Her pencil slid off of her desk and onto the floor.  When she bent to retrieve it, her hook peaked out and gleamed in the light.  Frozen into place, Cheyenne glanced around to see if anyone saw.  A small boy with black hair and deep blue eyes stared back at her in wonder.  She quickly sat up and stared straight ahead until it was time for recess.

Sitting on the swing, Cheyenne started daydreaming about her dad, when the boy with the deep blue eyes sat beside her.  Instead of trying to hide her hook, she just stared back at him and noticed the scar that tilted his lip.

He said, “What happened to your hand?”

“I was in a really bad car accident.  What happened to your mouth?”

“I was born this way.  Mama says that I have a cleft lip.  I’m Daniel.”

“I’m Cheyenne.”  A few moments pass by as Cheyenne considers this boy that’s different, just like her.

“You know, I think your hook is pretty cool.  Can I touch it?”

Hesitantly, Cheyenne nods silently.

Daniel gently touches the cold metal and whispers, “Cool!” He looks up at her and says, “Since, you’re new in town, do you want to be my friend?” 

“Sure!” Smiling at her new friend, Cheyenne feels hope for the first time that things will get better.


Looking back on that day, now old with wrinkles, she still remembers it with clarity.  As she looks at Daniel, her lifetime friend and partner, she can't imagine what her life would have been like if the deep blue-eyed boy hadn't sat beside her on the swings.