Mykhailo Hryhoriv

Dear 17-year-old Mykhailo,

As I sit down to write to you, I’m filled with a mix of nostalgia and a sense of responsibility. You with your love for music, your passion for dancing, and your dreams so vividly painted in the colors of rap and hip-hop, are about to embark on a journey. Little did you know where life would take you, the twists and turns awaiting just around the corner. First of all, let me tell you this: never lose sight of your dreams. The fire that burns within you, that drive to create and perform, it’s a part of who you are. Cherish it, nurture it, for it will guide you through the darkest of times.

You may think that leaving university was a mistake, but let me assure you, it wasn’t. Life has its own way of teaching us, sometimes through unconventional means. The years spent working in factories, treading the path of labor they taught you resilience, they taught you the value of hard work. And those experiences, they will shape you in ways you cannot yet imagine.

Your journey takes you to distant lands, from Poland to the Czech Republic, from China back to Ukraine, and now here we are in Ireland. Each place leaves its mark on you, each experience adds a layer to the person you becoming.

I know you sometimes doubt your choices, wondering what could have been if you had followed a different path. But let me tell you this! every step you take, every decision you make, they lead you exactly where you are meant to be. Trust in yourself, trust in the journey.

And now, as you navigate this new chapter in Ireland, learning English alongside your family, I want to remind you of something important: never stop learning. Knowledge is a treasure, and language, like a key, unlocks endless possibilities.

Remember how you found joy in teaching children during your time in China? Hold on to that. It’s more than just a job: it’s a calling, a purpose. As you learn English, envision a future where you can use that language to connect with children, to inspire them, to shape their minds and hearts. Your experiences as a teacher will become a beacon of light in the lives of those you touch.

So my dear younger self, hold on to your dreams, embrace the journey, and never forget the lessons you learn along the way. The road ahead may be winding, but with perseverance and faith in yourself, you will carve out a path uniquely yours.

With love and wisdom,
Your older self

— Mykhailo Hryhoriv

Transcribed from the photographed letter. Original wording retained; crossed-out words omitted.