Congratulations! You made it, and your mom finally gets to wear that outfit she's been planning for a special occasion--let's call this year a win.
On a side note, it's around June that I often wish that I was a robot; not because Eve from Wall-E has awesome abilities, but because in the end the robots we deal with don't really emote.
However, you see, I emote.
I try to hold it together because I've have been trying to figure out how to say good-bye to you since October--let's face we both thought the other was pretty sketchy throughout the month of September. However, once I got to know you (even my second semester transfers) I realized that I would one day have to say good-bye, and it made me melancholy. It seems silly really this is the nature of high school, I teach, you learn, then leave.
But
There is always a but in life...you should get used to that.
I will miss you. I will miss your silliness, creativity, kind hearts and even the frustration (perhaps caused by me) of this class, the craziness, the deadlines, the anxiety. I will miss you--even though some of you drove me to my outer limits (you know who you are).
Let me say this now, as I might tear up and speak in a voice that is only audible by dogs and the dead-I'm proud of you. You have grown and learned and thought about things that forced you to reconsider life and what you thought was always right. You argued, held true to who you are in order to share another perspective.
You should be proud because you are taking the first step in this adventure we call life whether that is a UC, CSU, community college, military or trade school. You are going to experience life and the ability of choice and while that is a wonderfully awesome thing, choice can also be scary and unsettling. There will be moments you will question your decisions going back and forth between what your gut and mind tell you. My suggestion--follow your gut--it's usually "on point" as you say. Do your best not follow the path of your 'friends' as the old adage 'misery loves company' is more truthful than you think. Talk to people, work out your confusion about school and life through conversation, but ultimately make up your own mind.
One last thing, be kind to your parents, especially your mom. When she looks into your eyes she is seeing the preschooler wearing that little cap and gown that is too big and the wide-eyed baby toothed grin smiling up at her asking only for a kind word and a hug. This will be hard on your mom because as much as I will miss you--she has suddenly been thrust into a moment where your adulthood cannot be held off any longer. Your mom is thinking that she merely blinked and now she has to let go so you can make this world a better place. So, take the extra picture, hug a little tighter and say I love you a little louder. Show your thankfulness because they've helped shape you into this wonderful person you are.
Congratulations seniors. It is your turn to go out into the world and be awesome--don't forget to report back.
I will leave you with a quote from one of my favorite books, The Help by Katherine Sockett
" You is kind. You is smart. You is important."
Love,
Mrs. Ordway
Best teacher by far... much love for Mrs.Ordway!!!
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