If you had a time machine and could send just one message to your past self, what would it say?

To myself in 2022,

As I sit here in 2026 with the news of the 6th poetry acceptance, I’ll just tell you to never stop writing, never stop being yourself,  never stop chasing your dreams and sharing your poetry.  There is a place in the world  for your simple verses and stanzas. There is community to be found online and locally. There will come a day like today that the path you chose as a writer, storyteller,  and poet will one day be worth it. 🥳🥳🥳

Patty 8/14/26