Dear Taylor,
I was always jealous when I heard the term “my mentor” come from other people’s mouths. All great writers seemed to have a mentor, or writers in general. Constantly, I pondered on how I would find a mentor. And, in a way, I think you found me just as much as I found you. Nobody really cares to waste their time on one of thousands they end up teaching. But you have invested some time in me, listening to me talk and helping me see that my opinion isn’t the only one out there, and that adults’ motives differ from kids’.
You introduced me to blogging. Journal entries that take up no paper and no ink?! How innovative! Then came Students 2.0, which has been a wonderful experience. You’ve helped me realize that learning is what I love, not school. And this is important to me–it was like one of those melodramatic epiphany moments… (Like in Moulin Rouge! when the scene spiraled downwards after Christian drank the absinthe! Or in Strictly Ballroom when Scott decides to dance in the Pan-Pacific to win. :D) You’ve also helped me with my scattered thought processes. Because, pretty much everyone knows I should be blond. (Not that being blond is bad. *grin*)
I also appreciated your unbiased attitude towards Daniel. You were the ONLY adult who saw him for th great guy he is. All those days I came to talk to you while you tried to each your lunch…I’m pretty sure you were just like, “This girl needs to leave so I can eat my damned food in PEACE.” (You know you were thinkin’ it.)
And the evil administrators….They make my eye twitch. I loved your loooong signs on the door. Everyone thought they were genius. I was tempted to go ask the administrator for the one about the ids when they took it down– I wanted to frame the sign, even if I had to have several different picture frames. But, alas, it prolly went into the “evidence locker.” I love how our principal only came out of her office once in a blue moon. I’ve only seen her once in one of my classes and she came into to tell my English teacher about the cake she was eating and how good it was. Yeah. I know. It was so dumb I was laughing.
My name, once curbxstomp, now just Kaelie, is because of you. The change has allowed me freedom and room to grow–my blog now has NOTHING to do with school. And I’ve dedicated my blog to you. I know you’ll be proud when I walk, two years from now, across that stage, even though you may not be there.
I hope that after you are free that you will spread your metaphorical wings and leave this school–but not the people who love you–behind. Remember not to live your life in fear, Taylor. That is the most important thing. Never live in fear. For a life lived in fear is a life half lived.
Love,
Kaelie
How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We’re just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl,
Year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found
The same old fears.
Wish you were here.
