Dear Younger Me (On The Days Your Heart Hurts)
Dear Younger Me (On The Days Your Heart Hurts)
Dear Younger Me,
On the days your heart just hurts, know you’re loved. On the days you’ll want to launch tennis balls into the stratosphere because you’re angry or you want to shove your face into a pillow and let all the tears out, you are loved.
I want you to know that it is okay to cry. You like to internalize and shove your feelings down, but there’s going to be a time in your life when you simply won’t be able to hold the tears back anymore. Let ‘em out. It’s apparently healthy. But for you, it’ll be necessary. I know you want to hide the red, puffy eyes, but you’re human, so let ‘em go.
It’s easy on the heartache days to only see the heartache, and you won’t want to think about the good God can create out of the hurt. But I hope you’ll see that someday. I hope that when you can’t seem to stop crying or when the emotions hit out of nowhere that you’ll remember God is making you stronger. Because every time I look back at one of those moments you’ll experience, I see how God picked me up and grew me. It’s been painful, yes. Like a chisel. Or a jackhammer. Maybe a power washer.
The point is, on the days your heart hurts, remember God’s growing you. You might not see immediate progress, but it’s there. And on the days your heart hurts, surround yourself with people who love you. Make the choice to hope, make the choice to be loved, and make the choice to find joy.
Love,
Megan
Dear Younger Me,
I know you’re struggling with trying to make friends. But you actually have some pretty great ones, and eventually you’ll find out who. I know you struggle with feeling a part of your youth group and feeling like you belong on your sports teams. Yet while you won’t be BFFs with the girls you played with, you will become a leader for them. You won’t even know it. You’ll later find out what your leadership by example meant to them.
But as far as friends go, it’s going to be okay. First of all, you will make friends. There’s nothing wrong with you, so just be patient. Yes, some friends just won’t end up sticking around. I think that’s just how it goes. Some friends you’ll be able to pick right back up with, and some will be with you every step of the way since pre-school. Some of the friends you’ll meet will be in the most unexpected ways. God had a sense of humor with some of them! Some friends will change your life in the most fantastic, beautiful ways – they’ll be your friends for life. Some will go to different colleges. Some of them will move across the country. It’ll hurt and it’ll be sad, but it won’t mean they love you any less or that you’ll love them any less.
Sometimes you’ll be that friend for someone else. And sometimes you’ll be the one to mess up. But remember grace. You’ll have tough moments, but you’ll have the most amazing ones, too. You’ll even get to stand by one in her wedding. You’ll realize some of your friends give some pretty great hugs. You’ll realize that friendship isn’t defined by distance. You’ll cherish some pretty wonderful people from other countries. You’ll also realize that friendship isn’t defined by age. You’ll get some really great advice from people who are older than you, and you’ll realize how special it is to love on some friends much younger than you, too.
Little me, I know you struggle. I wish I could tell you that you won’t struggle with worrying about friendships when you’re older. You still will. You’ll still feel lonely sometimes. But when you’ll really think about it, you’ll realize you’re loved more than you know. You have so many people in your corner. Your sisters are your friends for life. You’ll even realize that your mom and dad are your friends, too. You’ll still be learning that Jesus is your friend. Your heart will hurt so much sometimes, you’ll doubt Him. But just read Romans 8. You’ll be reminded how much He really is for you.
Love,
Megan
Dear Younger Me,
It is okay to say no. You’re such a “yes” girl. You and your sisters will joke about what your life would be in one word…they said yours would be “yes.” I know you hate letting people down. I know you want to please and impress. But I wish you would ask yourself why. I think deep down, more than wanting someone to be pleased with you or impressed by you, I think you really worry that if you say no to someone, they’ll love you less. I wish it didn’t take till the end of college for you to hear this, but you’ll hear a graduate say her employer actually appreciated it when she said she had enough on her plate. She was simply honest with herself and her employer. I wish you knew it is okay to do the same at work and in your relationships.
You don’t need to bend over backwards for people to love you. Younger me, they love you so much already. In fact, it hurts them to see you so burned out. Eventually, they’ll start to ask you if they should take things off your plate for you. Ironically, this is when you’ll say no, because you feel like you have to carry everything and if you let something go, you won’t be loved as much.
I wish you would just see that all the things you do don’t make someone love you more. I wish you would see that saying no doesn’t make someone love you less. Remember what you’ve always been told – the greatest gift you can give someone is your time. Don’t make yourself too busy pleasing people you can’t give time to the people and relationships that truly matter to you, including yourself. And goodness gracious, spend some time with God. You let yourself get so busy running around for other people that you forget Him. He’s the One whose pleasure in you really matters.
Love,
Megan
Dear Younger Me,
What an exciting time this is for you! I know you don’t exactly feel over-the-moon excited, but there’s a lot I wish you would cherish in this moment. You envy your friends who are itching to get out of the house, while you feel like you have one foot at home and one out the door. You’re still looking behind you at everything you’re walking away from: sports, clubs, teachers, and friends. Everything you defined yourself by is now finished, and you’re looking ahead at a lot of unknowns. The cool thing, though, is that this is a time you can explore who you are without those things. I wish I had done more resting and dreaming then. Because high school was busy, and college was busy, and I longed for the time to breathe. Here’s your time to do that. Read some new books. Go swimming. Do something fun. Love on the people around you and let yourself be loved on, too.
Here’s where you struggle: you so badly want to define yourself by what you do. This couple of months has been eating at you because you don’t have anything to define you anymore, yet I want you to know there’s beauty in that. You’ll learn this a lot in college and beyond, but it’s God who defines who you are. What a relief that you don’t! I’m thankful for that – God has given me so much today beyond my expectations that I’d never have planned for myself, and you’ll see that someday.
So enjoy these moments without definition, and enjoy your family and friends. It’s okay to be nervous about college. If you were starting in 2020, there would be a lot you would be nervous about. But for you, it’s okay to be nervous leaving home, yet you don’t have to live worried about who you are. God’s got a lot in store for you!
Love,
Megan
Chicago:
Jump Fest
Location: Walnut Trails Elementary School, 301 Wynstone Dr, Shorewood, IL 60404
Website: facebook.com/events/614890125912101/permalink/624207608313686/
Date/Time: 2/8, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Bring your children to jump on inflatables all day! It costs $10 per jumper, with the ability to come and go throughout the day.
Winterfest
Location: Annerino Community Center, 201 Recreation Dr, Bolingbrook, IL 60440
Website: bolingbrookparks.org/en/trending/mark-your-calendars/winterfest/
Date/Time: 2/8, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Enjoy both indoor and outdoor activities with the family at this free event. Activities range from snowball slingshot to an indoor climbing wall and a ninja obstacle course.
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago Family Day
Location: Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60611
Date/Time: 2/8, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Join the Museum of Contemporary Art for a free family day, with the theme “Junk Monster.” Interact with Chicago artists to learn more about the junk on our planet and where it goes.
Northwest Indiana:
Family Movie at the Library
Location: Crown Point Community Library, 122 North Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307
Website: https://crownpointlibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/01/CPCL_Newsletter_Feb_2020.pdf
Date/Time: 2/9, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Enjoy The Angry Birds Movie 2 with your family and free popcorn as well!
Valentine’s Day Pet Pictures
Location: 2912 Calumet Ave, Valparaiso, IN 46383
Date/Time: 2/8, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Healthi Paws is hosting a free picture event where you can get a Valentine’s picture of your pet!
Indianapolis:
Valentine’s Family Craft Day
Location: Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana
Website: facebook.com/events/1059226547803244/
Date/Time: 2/8, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Create Valentine’s Day crafts and cards with the family, and enjoy some treats as well! You can pre-register (though it’s not required), and it is $2 per person.
Air-Dry Clay Hearts
Location: The Art Lab, 31 E Main St., Suite 300, (Enter via 37 Main Street), Carmel, Indiana 46032
Website: facebook.com/events/the-art-lab/free-event-air-dry-clay-hearts-meet-me-on-main/612046189586915/
Dates/Times: 2/8, 5:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Enjoy this free event where you can make air-dry clay hearts.
Great Train Show
Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46205
Website: https://local.aarp.org/event/great-train-show-2020-02-08-indianapolis-in.html
Date/Time: 2/8 & 2/9, 10:00 a.m.
Enjoy this event that includes model train sets and activities for kids, including a riding train. Tickets are $10 for adults, and children 11 and under have free admission.
Lansing:
Lansing Symphony Family Series
Location: CADL Downtown Lansing, 401 South Capitol Ave., Lansing, MI 48933
Website: facebook.com/events/1345419388955753/
Date/Time: 2/9, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Enjoy a concert with a focus on helping young children enjoy music and literature and an interactive performance with the musicians.
Zoo in Your Neighborhood
Location: Briggs District Library, 108 E Railroad St St. Johns, MI 48879
Website: potterparkzoo.org/ziyn/
Date/Time: 2/8, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
At this free event, hear stories and interact with animal ambassadors.
Sing, Dance & Move Saturday Storytime
Location: Grand Ledge Area District Library, 131 E Jefferson St, Grand Ledge, Michigan 48837
Website: facebook.com/events/775042392944807/
Date/Time: 2/8, 3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Expect an energetic time with singing, dancing, moving, and stories to entertain your kids!
Chicago:
Chicago Children’s Museum Free Admission Day
Location: Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier, 700 East Grand Avenue, Suite 127, Chicago, Illinois 60611
Website: https://mykidlist.com/event/chicago-childrens-museum-free-admission-day/2020-02-02/
Date/Time: 2/2, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 pm.
It’s the first Sunday of the month, so your children ages 15 and under receive free admission (adult tickets are $19 each).
Share-a-Language Storytime
Location: Tinley Park Public Library, 7851 Timber Dr, Tinley Park, IL 60477
Website: https://www.tplibrary.org/events/share-language-storytime-3144866
Date/Time: 2/1, 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
You and your kids ages 3-8 might enjoy this drop-in event with songs and stories in Spanish from native Spanish speakers.
Movie-Screening: Penguins
Location: Tinley Park Public Library, 7851 Timber Dr, Tinley Park, Illinois 60477, Tinley Park, United States
Website: https://www.tplibrary.org/events/movie-screening-3250655
Date/Time: 2/1, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Watch the Disney documentary Penguins with your kids at this drop-in event.
Northwest Indiana:
Read to the Dogs!
Location: Winfield Branch Library, 10771 Randolph St., Crown Point, IN 46307
Website: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=3652&EventID=401960&PK=
Date/Time: 2/1, 11:00 a.m.
Enjoy time at the library with your children as they read books to Power Paws therapy dogs. Make sure you register in advance!
Guided Winter Hike
Location: Railway Depot, Gabis Arboretum, 450 West 100 North, Valparaiso, IN 46385
Website: https://www.pnw.edu/gabis-arboretum/my-calendar/?cid=my-calendar&mc_id=178
Date/Time: 2/2, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Enjoy a free winter hike at Gabis Arboretum, with hot chocolate afterward. You don’t even need to register!
Cabin Fever Festival/Groundhog Day
Location: Paul H Douglas Center for Environmental Education, 100 N Lake St, Gary, Indiana 46403 OR Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, 1215 N State Road 49, Porter, Indiana 46304
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/3206122516128764/
Date/Time: 2/1, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Beat cabin fever and enjoy a day out with the family doing activities at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center or the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education. Most activities are indoors such as free movies and music, but you can also join a ranger for an outdoor adventure hike.
Indianapolis:
Family Game Day at Southport
Location: Indianapolis Public Library- Southport Branch, 2630 East Stop 11 Road, Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46227
Website: indianapolis.libnet.info/event/3729471
Date/Time: 2/1, 12:00 – 4:00 pm.
Drop in at any time with your kids (all ages invited!) to play board games, fix puzzles, and make new friends. The games and puzzles will be provided.
Owl Prowl
Location: Zion Nature Center, 690 Beech Street, Zionsville, IN 46077
Website: http://www.zionsville-in.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=1662
Dates/Times: 2/1, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy an outing with your family to learn about the owls in Zionsville as well as venture out with a naturalist to try and spot some. Dress warm!
Lansing:
Public Viewing at Fox Park Observatory
Location: Fox Park Public Observatory, 3979 E Gresham Hwy, Potterville, MI 48876
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/457230044971009/?event_time_id=457230071637673
Date/Time: 2/1, 7:00 – 11:00 p.m.
It’s a public viewing night at the observatory, and astronomers will be available to answer your questions about the night sky. Call ahead during public viewing hours for the sky conditions, and the cost is $2 per person or $5 per family.
Meridian Skates
Location: Suburban Ice, 2810 Hannah Blvd, East Lansing, Michigan 48823
Website: https://lansingfamilyfun.com/events/meridian-skates-3/
Date/Time: 2/2, 5:00 – 6:20 p.m.
All are welcome for free skating at Suburban Ice, with a skate rental fee of $2.
Big Playdate: Candy!
Location: Delta Township District Library, 5130 Davenport Dr, Lansing, Michigan 48917
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/457741188467205/
Date/Time: 2/1, starts at 10:30 a.m.
Experience life-size Candy Land and a Sugar Rush race track inspired by Wreck-it-Ralph, along with picking out books on Take Your Child to the Library Day!
We didn’t want to believe the news yesterday. To hear of Kobe and his daughter…it was tragic and unexpected. For those who have grown up watching Kobe’s basketball career and the impact he’s made for other young basketball players, and even knowing that his 13-year-old daughter Gianna died along with him, the news this weekend was tough to stomach for both adults and children. It’s not an easy conversation, but if you’re struggling for direction on how to help your child process the news and grieve the loss of their childhood hero, our good friend and pastor Jessie Spencer shares some advice with us.
Chicago:
Lakeshore’s Free Crafts for Kids
Location: Lakeshore Learning 2255 W. 95th St. Chicago, IL 60643
Website: https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/stores/locator/chicago/029/
Date/Time: 1/25, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
At this free event, enjoy building a race car craft with your children!
Polar Adventure Day
Location: Northerly Island 1400 S. Linn White Drive, Chicago, Illinois
Website: chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/polar-adventure-days
Date/Time: 1/25, 12:00-4:00 p.m.
At this free event (with $3 parking), you can explore Northerly Island, make crafts, and see live animals including Siberian Huskies and wolves. If there’s snow, enjoy using snowshoes, and enjoy a winter treat as well.
Field Museum Sensory Saturday
Location: Field Museum 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60605
Website: https://www.chicagoautismnetwork.org/calendar/sensory-saturday
Date/Time: 1/25, 9:00-10:00 a.m.
It’s a free event with advance registration for families with young children, and activities include hands-on learning with sensory tools.
Northwest Indiana:
LaPorte Winterfest (Various events)
Location: Various locations
Website: https://panoramanow.com/events/laporte-winterfest/
Date/Time: 1/24-1/26, various events/times
Check out the website for multiple free family events, including ice sculpture demonstrations, family game night, breakfast with the birds, and making snow angels with the community!
Family Mug Night
Location: Busy Bees Pottery & Arts Studio, 2204 Southlake Mall, Merrillville, IN 46410
Website: https://app.getoccasion.com/xp/xNcSkLPB
Date/Time: 1/24, 7:00 p.m.
Paint a family mug together or everyone in the family can make one. Admission is free, but mug costs vary. Make sure you reserve your spot!
Learn to Draw Mickey & Minnie
Location: The Disney Store, Merrillville
Date/Time: 1/25, 3:00 p.m.
Families and children ages 3 and up can come together to learn to draw Mickey & Minnie!
Power Paws for Kids
Location: St. John Branch, Lake County Library, 9450 Wicker Ave., St. John, IN 46373
Website: https://www.lcplin.org/event/3643536
Date/Time: 1/25, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Families and children can read to certified therapy dogs, but make sure you register ahead.
Indianapolis:
Lakeshore’s Free Crafts for Kids
Location: Lakeshore Learning 1300 E. 86th St.Indianapolis, IN 46240
Website: https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/stores/locator/indianapolis/066/
Date/Time: 1/25, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
At this free event, enjoy building a race car craft with your children!
Owl Prowl Weekend
Location: Holliday Park, 6363 Spring Mill Road Indianapolis, IN 46260
Website:
apm.activecommunities.com/indyparks/Activity_Search/special-event-owl-prowl-weekend-holliday-park/16218
Dates/Times: 1/24-1/26, various times
Check out the website for various free events you can do with the family, including owl crafts, live animals, and a morning bird hike.
Lansing:
Family Activity Fair
Location: Williamston Community Pool & Fitness Center, 3939 Vanneter Road, Williamston, Michigan 48895
Website: facebook.com/events/2503242033225367/
Date/Time: 1/25, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
It’s a free event for the whole family, where you can enjoy food, games, and activities while exploring what local organizations offer in the community. Donations of underwear, socks, and toiletries are being collected for kids in need in Ingham County.
PBS Kids Day at WKAR
Location: WKAR Studio A, Communication Arts & Sciences Building, 404 Wilson Road, on the Michigan State campus (parking 1149 Red Cedar Road, East Lansing, MI 48824)
Website: https://www.wkar.org/post/pbs-kids-day-wkar-2020#stream/0
Date/Time: 1/25, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Enjoy this free event with many activities for kids like taking a photo with Clifford, enjoying a “green screen experience” as a meteorologist, and learning about STEM careers. A sensory-friendly room is also available.
Statehood Day Celebration
Location: Michigan History Museum, 702 W Kalamazoo St, Lansing, MI 48915
Website: facebook.com/events/3035285349832237/
Date/Time: 1/25, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
This free celebration commemorates the individuals who were a part of Michigan’s statehood, and you can enjoy demonstrations involving wool and also churning butter. Other activities include visiting with the Kings 8th British Regiment and learning about tinsmithing.
