Dear nine-year-old Logan,
Logan! Logan! Logan! You can hear those stern voices echoing through the hallways of your new school in Singapore, don't you?
It was a stark contrast to the familiar faces and routine back in Seattle. You’ve only been here for a month, and you already hate the stern faces and funny food. I understand, buddy; your world was flipped upside down at just nine years old, you had to leave all of your friends and move to a foreign place 8,059 miles away. Heck! you didn't even know where Singapore was on the map when the news hit you. You thought it was China, and the thought of moving there was overwhelming. The struggles of adapting to a new place, feeling like an outsider among your peers, it's tough. But, my younger self, you can't let it define you.
I remember how you thought Singapore was boring, and your classmates seemed to despise your very presence. It's natural to feel lost and frustrated. Yet, I want you to realize that crying to mom won't change anything. You have to be the one to make a difference. Embrace the challenge and change your perspective. And you know what, Logan?
One day you will stumble across a YouTube video and will learn about a sport called rugby. Your mom will sign you up for a local team in the area with kids from all over the country and you will find a sense of purpose in the sport, constant contact excites you and you get a thrill like no other scoring a try.
Rugby is going to be your savior.
Fast forward a bit, and you'll find solace in the camaraderie of the rugby team. Those tough practices and shared victories will forge bonds stronger than you ever imagined. It won't be long before you start feeling a sense of belonging, and your peers will turn into friends. Rugby will be your gateway to acceptance, my friend.
Over the next couple of years, you will grow, you’ll go see a psychiatrist and get medicated for your ADHD, which will help you concentrate.
Your constant joy and energy will begin to delight your peers and you will no longer feel un-welcomed.
However, something was off you still didn’t feel big enough while kids were growing and starting to hit puberty you stayed the same. Going into high school you were only 5 feet, 90 pounds and had a voice louder than a chipmunk. Your parents would tell you,
“Son, you're just a late bloomer”, but even that couldn’t comfort you. You felt small, your wanted to do something about it.
Flash forward to 10th grade. You started working out, gaining confidence, and feeling like everything was falling into place. It wasn't just about physical strength but mental resilience too. You learned that self-improvement is a continuous journey. Remember the moments you thought you couldn't do another rep, but you did?
That's a metaphor for life, Logan. Perseverance pays off, and every challenge is an opportunity for growth.
However, life has a way of throwing curveballs. Junior year, you'll be forced to leave Singapore and head back to Seattle. It'll feel like another upheaval, and you'll initially resist the change.
But, my younger self, remember this: you are the master of your destiny. Your experiences in Singapore, the friendships, the challenges—they've molded you into someone stronger.
As you return to Seattle, you'll realize how much you've grown. The struggles in Singapore were necessary chapters in your story. You'll carry the lessons with you, understanding that change is inevitable, but it's your response to it that matters. Remember, Logan, you are the only one who can truly change yourself.
So here you are, older and wiser, looking back at that younger version who thought Singapore was a punishment. You've come full circle, my friend, and the journey has shaped you in ways you never thought possible.
Keep growing, keep learning, and never forget that you have the power to shape your own narrative.
Sincerely,
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