March Madness | Episode 25

What Would I Tell My Younger Self? With Tears in My Eyes, I’d Tell Her, “Don’t Do It!”

If there was one thing I could go back and tell myself, something that would be listened to (that’s the critical part, right?) it would be, don’t do it.

You’re going to get in that back seat with Mike Dunne … don’t do it.

Ain’t no boy worth what’s going to happen when you get in that back seat.

Ain’t no boy worth it. You’re smart, you’re so damned smart! Just because nobody’s ever told you that? Trust me! You’re so damned smart!

You’ve got a crazy good future. Don’t get in that back seat, girl. Don’t do it.

You’re going to want to link arms and march against the Vietnam War.

You’re going to want to stand up for the young men who come home bruised and battered.

You’re going to want to shout down injustices from the rooftops and barricade yourself in front of the people who turn a firehose on your friends.

You’re going to want to stand with others and hold your fist in the air in solidarity with Tommie Smith.

You’re going to want to march for civil rights and you’ll want to hold the hands of friends dying of aids.

You’re going to want to be a doctor.

You’re going to want to march for women’s rights, take your hippie self to Woodstock, and stand for inclusivity at Live Aid.

You’re going to want to volunteer in South Africa.

You’re going to want to raise your hand for the oppressed, and your fist in the air for the underdog.

You’re going to want so much more ...

Don’t. Do. It.

Don’t get in that back seat with Mike Dunne.

©2023 Nancy Oglesby | All Rights Reserved

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Responding to this challenge wouldn’t be half as interesting without the kindred spirits who joined in. The list keeps growing, so forgive me if I missed you. Comment and I’ll get you added! (Please let me know if you wish to be removed from this list).

Keeley Schroder / Adrienne Beaumont / Brett Jenae Tomlin / The Sturg / Vidya / Karen Schwartz / Katie Michaelson / Bernie Pullen / Robert G. Longpré / Trisha Faye / Susie Winfield / Paari / Julia A. Keirns / Pamela Oglesby / Toni the Talker / Harry Hogg / Laure Dorsemaine / Debika Kumari / Michelle Jimerson Morris / Lu Skerdoo / Celia McKinley / Charisse Tyson / Julie KingGood / Amy Frances / Ravyne Hawke / Kayla Tackett / Anna Itzel Cazita / Misty Rae / Karen Hoffman / Deb Palmer / Vincent Pisano / Marlene Samuels / Randy Pulley / Ray Day / Pluto Wolnosci / Michael Rhodes / Ellen Baker / Marilyn Flower / Pat Romito LaPointe / Brandon Ellrich / Marlana, MSW / Bruce Coulter … brilliant peeps, all!