An Ode to 235

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same...” - unknown

As I rode the waves one by one I couldn’t help but feel completely at ease. The sun shining bright, the smell of the ocean, and the wind blowing with the sound of a beautiful symphony I had never heard before, until now. I let the waves crash into me and the water take me away, and I thought to myself “in this moment I am completely happy”. The past four years have been an experience I will never forget, but I think what I’ll remember the most about high school is this. This class, and everyone’s beautiful face.

I’ll miss sitting in this seat reading my mini chapters of my life off to you guys. I never got to read my first OP because I went off to California, I remember being so terrified, until I read what Mueller wrote and thought to myself “wow, someone actually gives a shit”. My favorite moment is when someone has an OP, I feel so much closer to them than I did the day before. And I think to myself “they are so brave for reading that out loud”. This is the one place I truly feel like I am home.

The one place where I can say something completely irrelevant and not be made fun of. I’ll never forget the day I first met you Ms. Mueller, Hopson wanted me to go to Mullins and I accidently trolled into your class instead. I didn’t know then how important you’d be to me and how much i’d love you, I promise I’m not kissing ass. You’ve given me what no one really could and that’s hope. By just sitting and listening to anything I had to say. I know that if I ever needed someone you would always be there.

I’m really sad to go because I don’t want to leave my family behind. I came into this class with such a crappy outlook on life, mostly because of everything that has happened with my dad. I was so bitter and angry, I didn’t know how to feel anything else. And then you gave us the opportunity to write about anything we wanted, who knew my dad would be in any of my writing.

You’ve taught me more than just literature and I don’t know how I could ever repay you. This year alone I’ve become someone who I’d never thought I’d be, someone who loves themselves. Same goes for everyone sitting in this room, thank you for listening and being there whenever I needed. And Victoria, I really didn’t mean anything by the Asian thing, haha. I’ve written about the toughest times in my life and I can say with confidence that this will be the hardest paper to read.

Without hesitation I can say that you, Mueller, are my hero. And whenever I’m not doing what I’m suppose to I can hear your voice in my head saying “really?” or “come on”. You have made such an impact on my life and I will never forget you. You are such a great person and I hope one day I can be as awesome as you.

The friendship I made here is something I’ll always carry with me and I hope you all know that if you ever needed anything I’ll always answer the phone. I’ll miss Mr. Riley, I’ll miss cheering Leann on, I’ll miss listening to everyone’s OP, I’ll miss pish, I’ll miss Frankenstein, I’ll miss the crazy mother/wife love, I’ll miss Jeff turning on the t.v every morning because I can’t reach, I’ll miss Kristi talking about how much she hates Pre-calc, I’ll miss the “get ready, go”, I’ll miss “you’re running out of days for occasional papers”, I’ll miss it all, I’ll miss you guys. And whenever I’m upset I’ll think back to the moments we shared in this classroom and think about how truly blessed I am to have met such amazing people like you.

What the Hell is this?

There are millions, upon, millions, upon, millions of people in the world, and the universe has brought me to you. You with brown eyes, wide open staring in my direction. I guess it started how every friendship starts with a “hey, what’s your number?” at least I think that’s how most friendships start, I am no expert. When I’m upset you’re there with arms open saying “you know if you ever need anyone i’ll always be there for you” and I could never thank you enough for what you’ve given me.

Everything is so confusing, time is going so fast and I had no idea in which direction to go to. We came across each other’s paths and you were there with a good head on your shoulders and so much to offer, and then there I was. Confused, lost, and flowing with an abundance of emotions. I don’t know where to start with you, it all happened so fast. I guess it all happened when we were talking about the future and how you without knowing taught me how to let go and just have fun. To follow my heart no matter what was in the way. You always point out things I do, just the other day you told me how you noticed whenever I’m stressed out I put my hair in a knot and twirl it around my fingers until I’m calm.

You know exactly what to say whenever I’m freaking out about something which is 98 percent of the time. You’ve made me realize how badly I was being treated, and you just stick by me, which is dangerous. You say you can’t seem to figure me out, but honestly I can’t even figure you out. You’re so full of wonder and mystery, it’s a bit intriguing. But what’s even worse is that you say you love the things most people hate and by most people I mean just one person. You love the way I squeak whenever I see something funny, the way I laugh, and even the weird stuff that comes out of my mouth.

You’re excited to be living with me and tell me all the time that we’re going to be there for each other all the time. Which is so new to me, I’m not sure what to think really because you’re so weird. In a good way, of course. You know me better than I thought you did which is terrifying considering I really don’t like opening up to anybody, not even my mother. I was perfectly fine hiding behind the brick wall I had built long ago, and you were perfectly fine just inviting yourself in and then I thought “I could have said no”. But I let you in anyway, and you sat there listening to everything I had to say about anything. And just like that we became what we are, best friends I guess?

Things end all the time, nothing is forever, and nothing is ever written in stone unless you were around during the stone-age or casted in the Flintstones. And I’m okay with things ending because if there’s anything you’ve taught me without knowing is in order to love someone you must love yourself first, no matter what. I just wish I could have seen that earlier. Some people come into our lives to help us grow, to love, or to help us move on. And I’ve been so happy since you’ve been around.

Everything happens for a reason and we all have choices. I could have said no when you held my hand, I could have said no when you held me, I could have said no when you put your arm around me, I could have said no, but I didn’t. And it’s comforting to have someone like you around, I noticed that I’m breaking out of my bad habits. I’ve been laughing a lot more, smiling a lot more, and just feeling okay again. And I can’t wrap my head around it and I’m sure you can’t either. I guess all I can say now is thank you for being a friend to me, thank you for everything. “ The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched-they must be felt with the heart” -Helen Keller