I'll miss you '03
04/09/2003

I am going on the senior class trip tomorrow with my first graduating class. I came in with this class; I changed and grew with them whether I wanted to or not. I fought hard battles and laughed with them. I cried with them. In front of them. Because of them. Inspired by them. Moved by them.

D. says it is weird I am not graduating with them. E. asked what I was going to do when they left; I told her my career would be over and I would have to find another job. For a split second, she believed me. I think she wanted to believe me - it only seemed natural to her just as it seems natural to D that I should graduate along with my seniors.

I know I am not popular enough for them to pick me as their graduation speaker, which may be just as well. I will be the teacher in the first row trying in vain to suppress her sobs.