Would 13-year-old you be proud of who you are now?

Thevy29 · 41-45, M

Probably surprised that I'm still alive at this point. I was a sick kid with a Brain Tumour. There were 8 other kids in the same hospital ward with tumours. By the time I was 15 I was the last one. The eldest was 20 when he died on the operating table.

TexChik · F

When my huge 13-year-old son started buying pot and amphetamines from a neighbor kid, punched his sister in the nose when she saw him, and then tried to take me out and got a kickboxing beat down where I was not holding back, I threw him out of the house. I put him in a home for wayward boys that my husband's uncle and his wife operate, not far from our farm. He was growing so fast that he developed a pituitary adenoma, which most of the huge men in my husband's family have gone through, including him (causes some anger and behavioral issues). He told his father that I was dangerous and insane. 🤣 I wasn't on his Christmas card list that year. My daughter, however, was different. At 13, she was loving and cuddly. At 16, she recently almost found out what happened to her brother on that awful day. And now he is the very giant, most loving, and protective son I could have hoped for.

Proud? Not a chance. Not at that age.

Coletracer · M

My thirteen year old self would be shocked I made it this far. I was a wild fun loving teen that wasn't afraid to do anything and yes trouble followed sometimes. My parents had a handful but stayed strong and I think I turned out okay.

meJess · F

Yes, but maybe not as proud as my first service dog who got me out and about again when I was 8.

ElwoodBlues · M

I've left some of my highest 13 yr old expectations unmet, but overall my 13 year old self would not be displeased.

ABCDEF7 · M

13 year old me would not be able to understand what today I think and what I am looking forward to. But he would be happy to see whatever he could understand.