Unforgettable

Tomorrow is graduation day at school. There are some pretty special kids graduating and I will definitely miss them! This is only my second year of teaching but I'm pretty sure that every year will be unforgettable. The biggest reason why is that kids, even high school kids, do care unconditionally. They do things that show that they care, even though sometimes those things are hard to see at first. There really is something good in every day at school. I feel that some kids have had to go through way too much by the time they graduate (which is saddening), and others are still completely innocent having no idea what the world can throw their way. When I graduated I fit into the latter category.

When I graduated I had no idea the challenges that life could present. Up until that point life was just a comfortable routine. You go to school, get cared for, have the opportunity to play sports, go home, and repeat in the morning. By the time that I graduated I knew that some people were hard to trust, yet I still believed that everyone deserved the benefit of the doubt. I never been done wrong. I actually think University was much the same - it was routine, I was responsible to myself and that's it. I could go home on weekends and leave my problems behind. At the time, however, things did seem stressful and at some times, terrible. It wasn't until the last 2 years, after starting "teaching" that I have experienced some of the less desirable things that the world has to offer. The past two years have been filled with "learning experiences." Reflecting on these experiences here are some things I would tell myself if I were to write a letter to the Melissa that I was when I graduated University:

• You really never know which day is going to be your last - so don't take it for granted.
• Learn to be strong because when you start teaching there are going to be kids who are depending on you and looking to you for guidance.
• Never stop listening - sometimes all people need is for someone to listen
• Don't ever let someone into your life who belittles you and makes you feel undesirable - you deserve to be respected.
• Give everybody the benefit of the doubt, but be ready to be hurt. There are people who will use you...and sometimes they will do it more than once.
• Even when you have the most noble of intentions it doesn't mean others feel the same.
• Have the attitude in which you are willing to believe that there is something good in every day.
• You can learn a lot from those younger and older than you.
• You won't know why things happen...they just do.
• There are going to be days when it seems like you always fall short...but one day you will feel like you won it all (umm I hope that's true...)

Most of the above list is a work in progress. My wish for the graduates this year is that they are given the same opportunities that I have been given. That they follow their dreams but never disrespect others or compromise their own character on the way. They will each have their own experiences which shape them, and I know that I will continue to have experiences that will somehow help me continue to grow.