Kathy Riordan

Kathy Riordan
Location
Florida, United States
Birthday
April 27
Bio
One woman's view of life and the universe. Follow @katriord on Twitter.

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FEBRUARY 26, 2010 10:24PM

Dear Girl

Rate: 38 Flag

6573_1167051731364_1080040005_492282_2062738_n

 

look up

lighten up

laugh

it's not so bad

it'll be fine

incline

recline

find the time

bind the ties

the ties that bind

fine

it will be

you've got time

time enough

it'll be rough

buck up

up and up

look up

take the buck

find your luck

don't get stuck

smile

stay awhile

breathe

 

17436_1300209100215_1080040005_875821_7653188_n 

 

 

One of those photos is me at almost seventeen, and the other is a quarter century later.  On a beach.  In Hawaii.  Breathing. 

Author tags:

letter to my teenage self, mrsraptor, open call, breathe, advice, survival tips, poetry

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I love this. Thank you. The teenager you were became the woman that you are.

Not late at all Kathy. Matter of fact I didn't put a closing date on the post because I thought it would take people a few days to think about and write what they wanted to say and I wanted to give everyone who wants to participate the time to write.
MrsRaptor
February 26, 2010 10:41 PM
This was great in form and substance!
Ann Nichols
February 26, 2010 10:47 PM
Brilliant before and after. What a profoundly beautiful transformation. Your letter to self has worked! You are an original. Rated!
Joan Wilder
February 26, 2010 10:48 PM
Breathe! Yes, that does it all...
JulieShanti
February 26, 2010 10:54 PM
Not at all surprised that you are as lovely as your words. Wise too.
Sally Swift
February 26, 2010 10:56 PM
"lighten up"

You were scary serious @ 17. It looks like you have taken a few deep breaths since then!
Rated.
Nick Carraway
February 26, 2010 11:01 PM
Nice change in style. Inhale ~ Exhale.
FusunA
February 26, 2010 11:22 PM
Kathy this was great. May I ask: Who is the woman in your blog picture? The latter you is beyond beautiful. Lovely. Rated.
wendyo
February 26, 2010 11:31 PM
"take the buck

find your luck

don't get stuck"

I loved this Kathy! And, as I've said before, you are Gorgeous! Simply stunning - inside and out.
Sparking
February 26, 2010 11:32 PM
Great. poetic remimniscense! And love the photo of you in Hawaii!
Cathy GF
February 27, 2010 12:29 AM
I love this! Beautiful then, beautiful now...amazing. xox
Robin Sneed
February 27, 2010 12:39 AM
Thanks for these photos. I want you to know I am saying this sincerely, you are more lovley as a woman than as a girl. AThat's life you're wearing and it looks damn good on you. The writing was appropos to any teen-aged girl and the last line of advice is one I have taped to my computer, phone, mirror and dashboard. (funny how I have trouble remembering to do this!)
Gabby Abby
February 27, 2010 01:06 AM
Very well done, Kathy, very touching.
rita shibr
February 27, 2010 01:07 AM
Very nice take on this, and lovely pictures - thanks!
kitd
February 27, 2010 01:55 AM
I love poetry and time travel using photographs...
Algis Kemezys
February 27, 2010 03:11 AM
Lots of wisdom and loveliness here, top to bottom, inside and out, words and pcitures.
AtHomePilgrim
February 27, 2010 06:01 AM
Great Stuff, but I can't figure out which pic is which!
scanner
February 27, 2010 07:46 AM
The writing is gorgeous and so are the photographs._r
Joan H.
February 27, 2010 07:51 AM
It would have been nice to know, when we were 17, that we did have time. Everything seems to be so urgent when you are that age.
mamoore
February 27, 2010 08:05 AM
Refreshing, lilting, upbeat - thanks for that, I was starting to wonder if I'd dehydrate from reading the ones that make my eyes water - from my cold, of course, nothing else. Damned cold. Lovely, Kathy! (r)
Chicken Mãâàn
February 27, 2010 08:06 AM
From 17 to now, yes it all seems so brief... -r-
Linnnn
February 27, 2010 08:07 AM
I have to say that not only are the words beautiful but so is the gaze from the stunning eyes of the latter-day picture...
Nikki Stern
February 27, 2010 12:20 PM
Breaking my heart this morning to hear the news of the impending tsunami in Hawaii. We would ordinarily be arriving there this weekend, for a month, and aren't there, and I never thought I'd hear myself say I was glad not to be in Hawaii. I've been monitoring the live beach cam on Waikiki all morning (we would ordinarily be at the Moana Surfrider this weekend): Live Beach Cam in Waikiki

Bottom picture in this article was taken at one of my favorite restaurants on the planet, Pacific'O's, on the beach in Lahaina, Maui, so I'm in a Hawaii state of mind. Please pray for the people of Hawaii, and the islands. God's special place.
Kathy Riordan
February 27, 2010 12:28 PM
Very very nice....such great advice....and gave me a glimpse into your world....Thank you....
toddpony
February 27, 2010 04:29 PM
Lovely. I was a very serious kid in many ways, too. R.
PattyJane
February 27, 2010 06:09 PM
Nice poem. Great pictures too.
Scarlett Sumac
February 27, 2010 06:12 PM
Beautifully written. Love the way you express this to yourself at 17. It is just lovely. Love the pictures of you.
fireeyes24
February 27, 2010 09:58 PM
Kathy, you are one of those women who -- blessedly -- looks even lovelier as she ages. It's the smile of experience in those blue eyes.
Lea Lane
February 27, 2010 10:33 PM
Very good and you are one attractive woman in both pictures.
Dr. Spudman44
February 27, 2010 10:53 PM
This is just beautiful, Kathy. Very tender and loving.
Deborah Sosin
February 28, 2010 10:48 AM
I've read a bunch of these, and this one resonates particularly because of that thing I think I shared with you at 17 - the inability to just relax and live. It took forever to learn, and I'm still not there!
Also - you are so serene in your beauty in that last photo. It just SHINES!
aim
February 28, 2010 04:58 PM
I wish I could say that to the me from 10 days ago, as well as 10 years ago. I'm horrible at putting "things in perspective", which is what you've done very simply and beautifully here. Great post.
Asta Charles
March 01, 2010 12:29 AM
so many important lessons learned in this short piece.
caroline marie
April 09, 2011 07:17 PM
Many thanks for being our instructor on this area. I actually enjoyed your article greatly and most of all liked how you handled the issues I widely known as controversial. You happen to be always extremely kind to readers like me and aid me in my lifestyle. Thank you. Free Resume Samples
symble
April 29, 2011 06:13 AM

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