Dear Fayette teens,

We're writing today to say

that we've been thinking about you a lot lately. We're sorry it's been

so long since we've written. We've been so busy with work, and bills,

and errands, and getting you where you need to be that we just don't know

where the time goes. It seems like just yesterday we were packing you

off to kindergarten. Honestly, we're so proud of you and all of your accomplishments.

We want so much for everything to be great for you when you grow up.

We wanted to know if we could

sit down together sometime to talk about how things are going for you.

How's school? What are you studying? Do you have any big projects due

any time soon? You know, we'd be happy to sit down with you sometime if

you need any help with your school work.

How are your friends? What

kinds of things do you like to do when you get together? Hey, why don't

we spend a day together, only we'll walk in your shoes, instead of suggesting

that you walk in ours. Sound good? What's it like to be you? Are you happy?

Are you excited about growing up and making your way? Are you just overcome

sometimes with how intense life can be at times? It's wonderful and overwhelming,

all at the same time sometimes. Do you worry about things? Are you scared?

'Cause we gotta tell ya, sometimes

we are scared to death. We want to do all the right things by you, but

we're always worried that we're dropping the ball. We want you to feel

like you can come to us with anything, but we terrified that you won't.

We're so afraid that you're slipping away from us, but we don't want you

to feel like we're holding you back, or treating you like a baby. Even

worse, we don't want you to feel like we don't trust you.

But we're afraid that maybe

things are happening to you in your lives that are too big to handle.

We've heard some things, and

we hope that these things aren't happening in your life, but we want you

to know that if they are, whatever the circumstances, no matter how bad

you think it is, we'll get through it together. You know, if you're drinking,

smoking, or doing drugs, we don't want that for you, but what we want

is for you to not want that for yourself.

We wish that you'd be so revved

about your youthful, strong bodies that you'd treat them like a temple.

But please know that if you do try some of these things, we'll still love

you. Don't think for a second that not getting in to trouble is more important

than safety. Sure, we'll have issues with your recklessness, but please,

please don't make us have to get that dreaded call in the night. There

is nothing you can do in this world that will cause us more pain than

to lose you. Will you promise to put life over not getting caught?

And one more thing, we know

that some of your friends are involved in sexual relationships. We wonder

if you are, too. First, we want to say, we know how it feels to be young

and in love, and what it's like to get wrapped up in the moment. We felt

just like you when we were your age.

Please don't take that to mean

that your feelings aren't unique and special, though, because they are.

But you know what we wish? We wish that we could give you an adult sense

of regret and rethinking of big decisions to go with those adult sexual

feelings that you're having, because there's nothing worse than regretting

early sexual behavior later on.

We want you to know that pregnancy

is a risk, and so are sexually transmitted diseases, but we know that

you already know that because some of your friends have already gotten

into trouble. Please wait as long as you possibly can. The best thing

is to wait until you get married.

It sounds corny, but virginity

is really an awesome gift to give to your spouse someday. It's cooler

than you think.

It sure would be a shame to

see you have to give up your dreams because you have a baby to take care

of. And for those of you who think if that happens to you, you'll just

have an abortion, please think long and hard about that. Talk to your

parents, talk to your best friend's parents. Talk to your minister or

a teacher.

You might think that once the

"problem" is gone, no problem, but you might not feel the same

way later on down the road. Remember that one day you'll probably have

children under the right set of circumstances. You may gaze on those children

and mourn for the one you didn't have.

The safest thing is to just

wait. Give yourself all the time in the world, because we have all the

hope in the world for you.

Please write when you can.

Tell us how we can help.

Love,

Your community

[Your comments are welcome:

[email protected].]