Dear 9th grade Paxton:

Listen man, I know you most likely will not really care that much about this letter, but i’m
literal living proof that you do, deep down--one day when you realize that I hope you appreciate
this more. I remember the feeling of when we left Cali Calmecac and all I have to say is this: I
know you puke from anxiety if you don’t have the right binders or your hair is a little off and you
constantly panic about things that are so overlooked every day, but I’m here to let you know it
does get better. Way better. And also worse sometimes, but I believe that’s part of the process:)
I remember feeling just the way you did at your age--I mean i’m you--but I have to assure you
that you’re gonna live and more: high school is gonna fly by before you know it.

If I remember correctly, you still want to be a doctor like dad and look forward to
Booneville more than anything else? Well lemme assure you that our love of Boonville hasn’t
gone anywhere, but I’ve since drifted from being a doctor and now want to be an
endocrinologist or biotech researcher in like vaccines or endocrinological processes. Let’s just
say that life has had a way of working itself out, with bends and turns all along the way, but
looking back I have to acknowledge how grateful I am to have lived it. But that’s besides the
point: I need you to know that, no matter how other people are doing in comparison to you or
the number of friends you have, that you are an extremely intellectually capable, emotionally
deep, and overall passionate guy that doesn’t get recognition for how much you grinded. Trust
me, it doesn’t get any more recognized now, but now I don’t really care about what these other
people gotta say: they’re not out here entirely for me. Just remember that no matter who you
meet or what you see, that you are strong and bold enough to accomplish some things that you
could only imagine doing as a kid. If living through so many years of school has taught me
anything it’s that the world really is your oyster: don’t let fear stop you from sending it.

Also, I want to apologize if I sounded condescending or haughty by lecturing at you

about what you will become. I could spend all this letter telling you how to do everything right
and how every story ends and all that crap or I could just say: it all works out, don’t worry about
me. Also, not to let you down, but my esteemed college of choice was the SRJC--I know you
were hoping for a UC or something like that. I want to give you hope to continue though
because even though you didn’t get to that top spot, you have the wit and depth to get
anywhere with the right amount of time. Don’t for a second doubt yourself man. Also you say
man a lot instead of whatever you say at the moment--no, you don’t stop saying neighbor. Not
be THAT guy, but you f**kin whip dirt bikes now and it's sick. That and gardening and guitar and
your car--I will not spoil that one’s identity--and to be honest, life is good right now. I feel like
i’ve changed a lot, so don’t ever think that life will always be great or horrible when you’re going
through that. Just know i’ll always be there playing music you probably don’t like because its
not as basic and overthinking as per usual. Don’t give up dude. Living life is the most
exhilarating, edifying, satisfying thing I’ve ever done. You’ll be okay, in the end:)

Hella sincerely,
You bruh