My cousin’s daughter, Nani, is turning 13 on July 29th and she asked all us cousins to offer some words of advice for Nani. What piece of advice could I pass on to a girl maturing into a young woman? Let’s see, I should know this, I was 12 going on 13 once. I turned 13 in 1992, which was also the year Nirvana’s Nevermind album went to #1, Billy Idol punches a woman in the face, Batman Returns (with Michael Keaton) is released, the book Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson is published, Cartoon Network launches, and The Real World premieres.
But all I seem to remember about that time are little details, like listening to the Les Miserables London Cast soundtrack incessantly, recording songs off the radio to make mixed tapes, riding my bike after school with friends, playing kickball or sockball in the street until it was too dark to see, and contemplating the demise of my annoying little sister.
Should I go the standard, failsafe route and tell her to stay in school and dare to say no to drugs? I think kids are growing up too fast these days. So instead I’d say this: Nani, enjoy everyday of your youth. Don’t try to grow up too fast, because you will get there eventually. Be good to your mom and dad, they only want the best for you. Watch over your younger brother and sister, they need you and will look up to you as a role model. Create goals for yourself and work hard to achieve them, because the best things in life are not easy to come by and are worth the effort. Beware of cafeteria food when it looks like its moving. And finally, high school is not everything.
Do you remember when you were 12 going on 13? What did you love about life at that age? What were your priorities in daily life, and what were your dreams for the future? Leave a comment if you have some sage words of advice to offer young Nani.
12 Comments
dria,
also add PROM IS DEFINITELY NOT EVERYTHING to what i emailed earlier.
hmmmmmmm, so this is what you do at work….i seeeeeeee.
I miss you guys!!! We are so blessed to have been married into this family with you guys in it. Thank you all so much for caring for as much as you do to express these words for and to her. Thanks again guys!!! I am so looking forward to what everyone has to say!
Marissa –
You are truly the ish…what i remember the most at 12 going onto 13 was Brise calling me up and laughing at me for getting my first period since it was such a big secret to hide…i look back at that and laugh about it…but yes you are right…ENJOY YOUR YOUTH AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE…all i said was Insist on yourself, never imitate, excellence is not an act it is a habit and never settle…all i must add have been quoted from fine outstanding individuals…but to be honest living your youth as much as possible is the best advice to give a 13 year old….oh how i miss the days of brise’s lauging at the silliest of things…btw i have other memories of being 12 turning 13 but that was the first thing that popped up so it had to be mentioned…hope married life hasn’t killed you yet…take care till next…xoxoxox from da girls….RSE
RSE, that’s hilarious about that being the first thing popping in your head about being 13. That’s the first thing that came to my head too!!! I got my first period right before my 13th birthday, and I was so excited to get it because every other girl already had theirs. Then I learned the truth first hand, it sucks.
Dria, we miss you too and we will have to visit you guys someday.
My 13th birthday memories are getting my Cooke Crisp Icecream cake from Carvel. Couldn’t wait to have to get out of school to eat it. Having all my cousins at the house and my friends waiting for me was the coolest…the best memory is finding out that I was officially a teenager. I thought becoming a teenager didn’t happen until you turned 14 and went to highchool. Man!! My uncle says to me how does it feel to be a teenager and I replied who is a teenager? He explained it to me and from that moment on I wanted to be called Dria the Teenager!!!! Oh those years went to fast!! I tell Nani everyday, enjoy these baby as awful as you may think that they are, they go so fast!
Nani…you’re becoming a young lady! Ah, my memories of being 13 were the best! I remember I had to have Loreal Hair Gel and Hair Spray; I had to have leggings in every color and of course they had to match my socks (yikes); Run DMC, Salt n Pepa, and LL Cool J was on the Radio and I had to make sure I had enough cassette tapes to make my own special mix tape (OMG)! Playing outside with my brothers (in the summer, waiting for the ice cream truck to come by, only to run inside screaming we need money for ice cream lol)….Most importantly, my mom became my best friend and she listened to everything I wanted to talk about, dared to dream about and anything I was scared about. She always had the answers to everything – so when you need someone to talk to remember that your Mom and Dad are ALWAYS there for you, NO MATTER WHAT!!! You may not agree with what they might have to say, but remember they always want the BEST for you because they love you SO MUCH…..and last but not least, “GO NANI, IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY, YOU’RE GONNA PARTY, LIKE IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY!!!” We love you and God Bless you–Ray, Rowena and RJ
Thanks for all who took their time and who plan to take time to offer our future some advice! And for sharing funny memories!
You’re welcome! It was nice to think back to younger days.
Nani – while I know it might seem great to be a grown up, it’s important for you to have great memories as a teen. Enjoy your family and friends – the best memories I have are with someone who to this day is my best friend. Be silly, laugh at yourself and learn from what doesn’t work. Miss you!
Charitie, Ron and Logan
HEY CHEEKS, I KNOW THAT YOU CAN’T WAIT TO GROW UP. BUT, TRY TO ENJOY BEING YOUNG. REMEMBER THAT I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU NO MATTER WHAT AGE YOU ARE.
Dear Nani,
Follow your dreams and never give up. Always aim high and don’t let the fear of failure stop you from trying. You can accomplish anything at any age. Mozart wrote his first symphony at age 7. Shane Gould won an Olympic medal at age 12. Leanne Rimes topped the Country music charts at 14. Ray Kroc founded McDonald’s at age 57 and Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel at 71.
Also, cherish the time with your family because when you get older you’ll probably not going to be living in the same house. The biggest thing I miss when I your age was having my family living in one house and having my cousins living just around the corner. It was so much fun and I sometimes wish I can go back to that time.
Love,
Brennan