and a not so final farewell,
this is the letter that i wrote to my favorite teacher.
he wrote me an amazing message in my yearbook; and this is my reply.
i wish for you all, amazing relationships, just like this one.
Mr. Michaud,
I cannot even begin to express the emotions that I have writing this letter. I don't know where to start, and I'm really afraid of ending this. Let me think. The first real and genuine thing that I can think to say is thank you. Thank you for absolutely everything. You have been one of the biggest inspirations in my life for the past three years, and that is something so huge to me. No matter what the problem or the situation, no matter what my mood; if I'm crying or if I'm angry and swearing like a trucker, you are there, listening, concerned; no questions asked. No one has done that for me. It's hard to believe that someone so young could be so wise. You are so wise and so caring. I know that I am strong and I know that I have been through a lot in a short amount of time. But at the same time, because of the strength, guidance and wisdom you have given me, I know that I am going to be okay. I've always told my friends, that I am the person that I am because of them. You are my friend. You are not only my mentor and a teacher to me, but you are my friend. I have wanted to give up so many times, Mr. Michaud. I was so scared and so angry and so sad at many different points throughout the year. I was ready to give up because I thought I'd lost my strength and I had little ambition to keep going. I stayed in school and started working as much as possible to support myself; my independence, and to help my family in the ways that they've always helped me. I kept going because I knew that you believed in me. So many times, no one else mattered because I never felt that I could relate to anyone. How would they ever understand my emotions or the way I was acting? And then somehow, three years ago, our paths crossed, and looking back on that today, I know that we were meant to know and to teach each other. You got me through the toughest time in my young life. A time where I was hurting so badly and I was so afraid for anyone to know. Most people knew my close relationship with my dad, but I guess they thought I had a strong will to keep going through it with my head held high. Some mornings, as you well know, I could not do that. And you were the one I trusted with that. You were the one that I went to when I was angry and crying because I knew you understood. We didn't have to sit there and have intense conversations about every detail of what was going on, I only had to sit there, and I was okay again because I knew that without words, you understood, and that was all I needed to know that you cared. I hope you know that in those silent conversations, I never once doubted how much you cared, and how much I know you wish you could have helped.
You are a rare find. So rare, in fact, that most people do not see you for everything that you are, and that is so frustrating to me, and to you as well, I'm sure. Do not ever loose the spark that you have. You radiate such a passion and love for this profession, that I could see you doing nothing else. Never give up, no matter how hard things get. You taught me that, and now I am passing that back to you again. I know how hard it is to get through to these kids sometimes, but in the end you end up with such a beautiful and amazing product. You know that.
I hope, more than anything, that you see the effect that you've had on so many kids. You said the same about me, and I promise to accept the fact that I have touched lives, if you accept the fact that you have as well. You are a breath of fresh air for this school, and a gift to anyone that knows you. I beg of you, remember the kids like me. Remember your soccer kids, some in particular, and the impact that you've had on us all. You know that all of us would go to you to talk before our parents, or even our best friend. I wrote that essay about you in English at the beginning of the year, and how you are my hero. I never ever thought that I would call a teacher a hero. Teachers were always those close-minded Conservatives that snapped their rulers at you. They were never "heroes."
You sir, have surpassed everything that I thought a teacher, and a human being was supposed to be. I don't know where I would be without you. I wish you the most amazing life in the world, and I hope that I'm there to witness at least a little bit. You have an amazing heart, and you have someone wonderful to share that with. Oh, and I'm not kidding about babysitting. It would be such a loss to not see the children that you raise, they're going to change the world, just as you have, for so many kids.
Thank you for everything.
I'll visit often; please stay in touch.
Alycia (The Pines!)
he wrote me an amazing message in my yearbook; and this is my reply.
i wish for you all, amazing relationships, just like this one.
Mr. Michaud,
I cannot even begin to express the emotions that I have writing this letter. I don't know where to start, and I'm really afraid of ending this. Let me think. The first real and genuine thing that I can think to say is thank you. Thank you for absolutely everything. You have been one of the biggest inspirations in my life for the past three years, and that is something so huge to me. No matter what the problem or the situation, no matter what my mood; if I'm crying or if I'm angry and swearing like a trucker, you are there, listening, concerned; no questions asked. No one has done that for me. It's hard to believe that someone so young could be so wise. You are so wise and so caring. I know that I am strong and I know that I have been through a lot in a short amount of time. But at the same time, because of the strength, guidance and wisdom you have given me, I know that I am going to be okay. I've always told my friends, that I am the person that I am because of them. You are my friend. You are not only my mentor and a teacher to me, but you are my friend. I have wanted to give up so many times, Mr. Michaud. I was so scared and so angry and so sad at many different points throughout the year. I was ready to give up because I thought I'd lost my strength and I had little ambition to keep going. I stayed in school and started working as much as possible to support myself; my independence, and to help my family in the ways that they've always helped me. I kept going because I knew that you believed in me. So many times, no one else mattered because I never felt that I could relate to anyone. How would they ever understand my emotions or the way I was acting? And then somehow, three years ago, our paths crossed, and looking back on that today, I know that we were meant to know and to teach each other. You got me through the toughest time in my young life. A time where I was hurting so badly and I was so afraid for anyone to know. Most people knew my close relationship with my dad, but I guess they thought I had a strong will to keep going through it with my head held high. Some mornings, as you well know, I could not do that. And you were the one I trusted with that. You were the one that I went to when I was angry and crying because I knew you understood. We didn't have to sit there and have intense conversations about every detail of what was going on, I only had to sit there, and I was okay again because I knew that without words, you understood, and that was all I needed to know that you cared. I hope you know that in those silent conversations, I never once doubted how much you cared, and how much I know you wish you could have helped.
You are a rare find. So rare, in fact, that most people do not see you for everything that you are, and that is so frustrating to me, and to you as well, I'm sure. Do not ever loose the spark that you have. You radiate such a passion and love for this profession, that I could see you doing nothing else. Never give up, no matter how hard things get. You taught me that, and now I am passing that back to you again. I know how hard it is to get through to these kids sometimes, but in the end you end up with such a beautiful and amazing product. You know that.
I hope, more than anything, that you see the effect that you've had on so many kids. You said the same about me, and I promise to accept the fact that I have touched lives, if you accept the fact that you have as well. You are a breath of fresh air for this school, and a gift to anyone that knows you. I beg of you, remember the kids like me. Remember your soccer kids, some in particular, and the impact that you've had on us all. You know that all of us would go to you to talk before our parents, or even our best friend. I wrote that essay about you in English at the beginning of the year, and how you are my hero. I never ever thought that I would call a teacher a hero. Teachers were always those close-minded Conservatives that snapped their rulers at you. They were never "heroes."
You sir, have surpassed everything that I thought a teacher, and a human being was supposed to be. I don't know where I would be without you. I wish you the most amazing life in the world, and I hope that I'm there to witness at least a little bit. You have an amazing heart, and you have someone wonderful to share that with. Oh, and I'm not kidding about babysitting. It would be such a loss to not see the children that you raise, they're going to change the world, just as you have, for so many kids.
Thank you for everything.
I'll visit often; please stay in touch.
Alycia (The Pines!)