The Road I'll Travel

Dear Molly,

     Wow. High school is over. 13 years of public school later. 13 years ago, you were a sunny 5 year-old who loved to watch PBS Kids, be read to, dance and couldn't wait to start kindergarten. 7 years ago, you were 11. You were busy taking violin lessons, going to ice skating class, reading voraciously, and eagerly awaiting middle school. 4 years ago, you were geared up to begin a new chapter in your life.

     3 years ago, your life as you knew it began to fall apart. 2 years ago, you were bored to tears in Summer School. Last year, you learned that life is all about taking matters into your own hands. You were hit with a startling realization: my future belongs to me. You're not going to let anyone else make bad decisions on your behalf. Last August, you were about to start senior year.

   Your parents tried to persuade you to stay at Millikan, but you knew you couldn't do it. You were lonely, withdrawn, and let self doubt get the best of you. You needed to do what you knew would be better, however marginally; transferring back to Poly to finish out your high school career And it was.

      You got your first A in English since 8th grade, and passed the AP Literature test. You won your first ever math award. You played cello and had to work to enjoy it. And you met so many great people through orchestra who you're so proud to call you're friends. You dropped AP Spanish at the 4th quarter because you flat out couldn't keep up. You realized that content wise, you were a full year behind your classmates. But that's not going to stop you from reaching your goal of being bilingual. Achieving fluency is something you're doing for you.

       You're learning your place in this world. You're learning even more about yourself. You're learning that people can be real @$$#%$ (pardon the typographical swear). You're learning what makes you happy. You like being optimistic and bringing joy to others. You love to smile, live to laugh, and will never turn down a hug. For the most part, you're proud of who you are. You refused to let circumstances get the best of you. You're not proud of how you were stubborn and let your pride get in the way.

     You're less than a week away from starting college. You turned 18 last Saturday. Today you got to sign my first ever medical release form, the real marker of being an adult. It's not merely the beginning of a different chapter; it's a whole new book. Consider it the latest volume in "The Book of Life": The Young Adulthood of Molly. It's a path you have in front of you, a road with a destination I you'll hopefully soon discover.

 Song of the Day: Magic by Trad and Anon

     You learned this song many years ago at Camp Scherman. You went to this amazing Girl Scout Overnight camp from the summer before 4th grade to the summer before 10th grade, despite thoughts and endorsements for Jewish Camp and Music Camp. But you found myself going back year after year. You'll definitely going to be a counselor if they will hire you! This song reminds you that there is still beauty in this world, and always will be.

When I was young, I thought the stars were made for wishing on,
And every hole deep in a tree must hide a leprechaun.
Old houses all had secret rooms if one could find the door,
But who believes in magic, anymore?

Magic is the sun that makes a rainbow out of rain,
And magic keeps the dream alive to try and try again.
Magic is the love that stays when good friends have to leave,
I do believe in magic, I believe.

Growing up the grown-ups said one day I'd wake to find,
That magic's just a childhood dream I'd have to leave behind.
Like clothes that would no longer fit and toys that I'd ignore,
I'd not believe in magic any more.

Magic is the sun that makes a rainbow out of rain,

And magic keeps the dream alive to try and try again.
Magic is the love that stays when good friends have to leave,
I do believe in magic, I believe.

When I grew up I learned again that much to my surprise,
The magic did not fade away- it took a new disguise.
A child, a friend, a smile, a song, the courage to stand tall,
I do believe in magic after all.

Magic is the sun that makes a rainbow out of rain,

And magic keeps the dream alive to try and try again.
Magic is the love that stays when good friends have to leave,
I do believe in magic, and love's the greatest magic, 

I do believe in magic, I believe.

Love, Molly