You're not allowed to leave, I won't let you

It's June and we, and by 'we' I mean you are on the precipice (a very steep rock face or cliff, typically a tall one--this steep cliff is of course metaphorical) of your life.

Each year at the start of a new school year I think, I love seniors!! and then May rolls around and I think, I don't like seniors anymore. Not because you are bad; it's just that with freshmen and even juniors at the end of the year there are hugs and the seemingly comforting salutation--See you next year. With you, it's me wishing you off to a wonderful adventure--that I hope to hear about someday.

However, before I send you off into the world with a wish for all that is wonderful--I have some advice to share with you.

There will be moments of indecision and frustration in your new found freedom. You will secretly want a 'grown-up' to just tell you what to do while you verbally tell every adult around you, and those within a ten mile radius that you are: "in fact a grown-up capable of making all your own decisions--thank you very much." In these moments of indecision take a deep breath and listen to your gut...no, really you're probably right if you follow your instinct. Remember that time when you were a sophomore and that friend convinced you to do that thing, but your gut was telling you the opposite? Who was right in that circumstance? Your gut most likely. Follow your natural instinct or intuition -this is also true when meeting new people. If you get a funny feeling when meeting someone new give them a fake name and run--well, don't run that would look weird, just walk away quickly.

Be true to who you are always. If you change who you are to fit in with others or to seem like you belong then how will you know if those around you love the messy, chaotic sometimes irrational you? If you decide to change yourself make the change so you are growing as a person to better your life. 

Your life is a series of memories; good, bad, amazing and meh. This life, your life is a contribution to the story of humanity and it desrves to be told. Don't bury the bad memories of life way down in your psyche--deal with them and learn from them. The not so fantastic moments of our life are truly what makes us stronger and the person we are meant to be. Everyone has had a bad, day, week, month, or even year. This has been true of everyone of your teachers, parents (they're people too after all), friends, family and most likely your future college professors--except for that one (you'll know which one when you meet them, and for the record, I don't like them either). Take it from someone who thought it was best to only focus on the BIG moments in life, in fact for a while this was my mantra:  "this is a big moment-I should remember it"I forgot to remember the little quiet moments too. I'm better at letting the stillness of life seep into my soul so that I can relish in a quiet moment that becomes a tender memory. 

Don't just recognize the great moments of your life, embrace all of the moments of your life.

Lastly, we need to talk about your parents or those people who keep telling you what to do like they know something about life. Please do me a favor-- cut them some slack especially if you're the oldest. This is all new to them to and they're figuring out how to let you go so that you can continue onto this adventure of adulthood, but all they see is their baby with missing teeth asking to cuddle. You are their baby no matter how many times they roll their eyes or sound exasperated so hug your parents a little tighter, say thank you a little louder and try to resist the urge to tell them they're overreacting or that they're wrong. 

I will miss you, but I guess legally I can't force you to stay in high school so I'll  begrudgingly let you go into the world. Kindness is the greatest weapon against the evil in the world. Be kind, love with ferocity and travel the world because I like exotic presents 😉

To the moon and back,

Mrs. Ordway