An Open Letter

Dear Seniors {and juniors too},

As I ask you to write letters of gratitude I thought it would be important to write a letter to you--all of you. What you need to know is the moment that you cross my threshold you become mine--not in a weird territorial way, but as you own a little piece of my heart and I feel responsible for sending you out into the world with a little more kindness in your heart than you came in with way. I may gently tease you, call you out when you're making bad choices, but at my core I want the best for each and everyone of you.

I am so happy that I was able to spend the last year getting to know you and watching you mature and grow into adults. Your silliness and laughter is infectious and helps each period sail quickly by--even when we're learning about Shakespeare or old English and Nordic 'stuff'. I am overjoyed when you finally 'got' my lessons or symbolism discussed. It's was great to see your eyes light up and that spark of 'I understand!" come across your face. So, I thank you. Even on the days when frustration levels were high you taught me something--I might have taken a day to learn the lesson, but I learned the lesson nonetheless.

Graduation is quickly approaching, so please, cut your parents some slack when they look at you, or take you in for more embraces than usual-- they are seeing the little boy or girl they dropped off at kindergarten. You were their  little kid looking wide-eyed at the world filled with wonder and curiosity and now you meet at eye level showing a determination to make your mark on the world.

The world you are about to enter into is amazing; there are many adventures and learning experiences to be had, but sometimes people are cruel and unfair. Don't be like those people. As you prepare to leave the safety of high school, know that the world while it is big and wonderful; it is ultimately up to you to make the choices that will guide your life; seeking happiness will take you down many paths and only you know if you're on the right one. Shortcuts may seem like a great idea, but don't just try for the easy way out. Don't judge yourself to harshly when you make mistakes, because you will make mistakes, and some of them will be BIG, but learn from your failures--turn them into successes.

I will miss you more than I could ever possibly explain and I hope to hear from you as you travel through this new phase of your life...adulthood.

It has been my pleasure to have been your teacher, I can only hope that you feel that I have helped you along in your journey. And lastly, remember these words from one of my favorite novels and heroines,  "You is kind, you is smart and you is important" (Aibilene Clark, The Help).

Love,
Mrs. Ordway