teacher response

my old teacher wrote back, 

heres what he had to say:

Hey Emma

 Of course I remember you. I remember you telling me about how you were feeling and it hurt me to hear it. When kids tell me that they are feeling that way I want to say to them that it is just a matter of perspective. When you are young you don't realize that things aren't your fault and that adults and parents are just people too. They make mistakes and do stupid things without thinking of how they are hurting those close to them. My Dad used to get pretty mean when he had a few drinks. I used to feel like it was me doing it to him but as I grew up I had many talks with him and let him know how I felt about it. It helped me work though my emotions and hurt feelings and thank jebus he took it to heart and changed his ways.

Emma when you are young and things go wrong it seems like it will never end. What you don't realize at that age is that will change. It always changes. The only thing you are in control of is you and how you choose to deal with things. In life you will get your fair share of shit sandwiches, it is how you choose to deal with them that sets you apart. A very cool person that I have traveled all over the world with used to say to me, in times of crisis, 'Its all part of the adventure brother'. That is how I tend to look at things. We are on this planet for a nanosecond when you look at it from historical perspective. If you can learn to take the shit the world throws at you and that other people on this planet throw at you and still come out strong and believing in yourself you are doing great in my books. What I remember most about you is that you always seemed to have a smile on your face and when you didnt it troubled me. I hope you have found your groove and are doing well, if not keep looking because it is out there. There are very few people who truly chase their dreams in life. Things get in the way, life gets in the way, but I will tell you that fortune smiles on those that seek their dreams with reckless abandon. I know you can do it. To quote Yoda "The force is strong in this one".

You made me smile. That story isn't easy for me to tell. It never gets routine telling it. It is part of who I am as a person. I watched as those kids drove away to make a mistake that was forever. I feel that it is my duty to tell that story as many times as I can to as many people as I can in hopes that something that was so negative and painful might turn into something good. I do it to honor my friends. I do it for John Newby (my best bud in the whole world). The fact that it helped you means that something good came of it and it makes the pain that still lives in me a little less. Thanks for looking for me and thank you for saying those kind words. It is tough to connect with kids when you are just a supply teacher. I bounced from school to school for so many years but WIDick was like a home to me for many of those years. I am glad that I got to connect with you and help you out in whatever way I could. I would love to make you a friend on facebook but I get up to far too much crazy stuff Emma. I have to keep my professional life separate from my social life. When you get to college I would be happy to add you (ha!). Until then if you feel like chatting please email me anytime. I am living in Istanbul Turkey now. I am teaching Turkish kids (grade 6,7,and 8). They are little buggers but they don't hold a candle to the wild times at the Dick.
Thanks again
Dave (We can drop the Mr.B stuff as I most likely wont teach you again)