17 Things I Want My Future Children to Know

As I near my 26^th birthday, I realize that I’m not a child anymore (Don’t worry. I’ve been aware of this for a while, but it always seems to be a point of focus around my birthdays). I understand that I am still very young and have more to learn than I could ever possibly imagine, but over the years I have learned quite a few lessons of my own. I’ve learned things about myself, about other people just trying to find their way like me, about society in general, and about life. It’s this knowledge I want to share with the next generation, with my own future children, with my three amazing nephews and beautiful niece whose innocent smiles divulge no understanding of hate or malice, in the hopes that it will help them when the time comes for them to make their own way in this world.