To M.W.: NOTHING thus far in my teaching career has brought me more joy than talking to you last night. To hear that you were thankful for coming to that treatment center and having me as your teacher touched my heart in the deepest way. It has been almost three years since I began teaching and that was truly my happiest moment. Kids tell me all the time that I am their favorite teacher, but cuss me out in the next breath. For you to have been discharged, with nothing to gain from flattery and still admit these feelings, I know that they are real. People may have thought of you as a lost cause and talked about how you were hopeless, but I had faith in you. I saw something in you that made me try so hard to teach you to read and do math. I wish you so much luck in life and I will pray that you reach your dreams.
To all the other funky winches in my class: Some days I hate your guts! You all exemplify the phrase, "Misery Loves Company." You are all miserable, therefore, you try to drag me down. It won't happen. That negative spirit jumps up in me everyday and I get just as crazy as you all. However, I let loose and shake the devil off everyday that I leave. The sad part is that you all don't have to act like that. Can you all be saved? Who knows? No one even wants to be bothered with that foolishness. I will pray for you all. I pray that you all get on the right path and learn that the streets don't owe you anything. You can make a way and find a way if you try.