It was one of the hardest years of my life...and yet, I met my best friend. Hi Mint!
At the time I was experiencing these feeling, the ones where I thought I was a terrible human that nobody liked, I wanted to not exist.
Now, I look back at 8th grade, and I laugh a little.
I think about how unimportant most of those concerns were in reality. If I could transport some of the confidence I have as a 33 year-old back to 1993-1994, it would have been a better year.
I think about the people in this picture now. Now that I'm a little less self-absorbed. I never quite grew out of that, honestly. At the time, they were all going through issues of their own. Each person in this picture was struggling with something, I was just too wrapped up in my own issues to figure out what their personal trials were.
Ms. Hauser, you were a light during this trying time. I remember your kindness, your warmth, your infinite patience. Thank you for being that for me, for us.
Ms. Kapaldi, the librarian who recently passed away, thank you for being a safe haven for Mint and I when we conspicuously cut gym class to go hang out and read books.
I'm sorry for any hurtful things I said to any of you guys in pre-adolsecent mania. I think you're all amazing people.
It's clear we grew up and became functional, even successful, somewhat less dramatic humans.
I'm going to keep this in mind when Ari and Samara enter junior high school.
Recently, I've been teaching middle school. I thought it would bring back traumatic memories, but it's had the opposite effect. I love these kids. They're capable of so much. They can have intelligent debates, and they say what they mean. There's no guise, no nonsense, just truth. Maybe that's how you felt about us, Ms. Hauser.
The lesson I learned from my 8th grade year is: be aware of yourself, and also be aware of others. You never know what someone else's internal struggles might be.
Peace out everybody, I'm gonna go play some freeze tag.
8th grade was special, wasn't it? I have more memories of that year than of high school. I also met my best friend at that time!
ReplyDeleteWhen you were in 8th grade I looked at all of you and saw myself at that age -- unsure of who I was and who I was going to be, unaware of my potential. But I knew what the future held for me and I hoped for a successful future for all of you. Some of you I knew would grow up to be happy and fulfilled. Some of you I wasn't so sure about. And some of you I knew were in for some rough times but would most likely come out OK in the end. :)
ReplyDeleteI saw what you were capable of -- your intelligence, your creativity, your unique vision of the world you were growing into -- and I hoped I would be able to push, pull, prod, nag, cajole and coax you all into reaching for the best you were capable of and, more importantly, help you see what amazing things you were accomplishing.
I was so lucky to have you as my teacher. I saw it then, and I see it tenfold now.
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