Mini Memoir 9

Write a letter to a teacher or someone else who made an impression on you when y ou were young. Describe your life today. Were you encouraged by his support and did you rise above his or her predictions to prove them wrong?

Dear —-----,

I never finished college. I’m sure my entire high school have gasped if they learned this. My path took such a different turn from how I dreamed. I’m sick. I have bipolar type one (complicated by OCD). i’m doing well now…been almost three years since I was hospitalized. I had to leave the school of my dreams and so many wonderful people when I tried to kill myself in my dorm room. I majored in trauma, mostly sexual. When I got older I learned that’s very common. I wishI had known at the time. Maybe then I wouldn’t have hidden it like it was my secret. Anyway, I hope I lived up to your expectations. Everyone expected me to be a big shot writer. I’m on  my 7th/8th book but I have gotten no attention. But I am happy. Isn’t that what matters most?

Describe your first real job. I worked at a summer camp for kids with cancer. I was assigned to the 3-4 year olds. I took them to the playground, took them to the bathroom, taught them how to kick a soccer ball, supervise them during swim, played with them at rest time and sat with them at lunch.

What kind of employee did you make? I was a great one They liked me there and I liked them too. I was very good at engaging with the talkative outgoing campers and drawing shy campers out of their shells. I was responsible- never showing up late or hungover. I also didn’t get paid much but I  knew the work was important. 

What did you learn about your strengths and weaknesses? I learned I’m very good at playing with kids, talking to kids, coaxing them into the pool. My weakness (which was always mentioned in my performance reviews) was discipline. No one wants to discipline a sick little kid even if it is just a time out.