Somber Summer Vaca-

Well, it's my second day of summer vacation, and I already miss Memorial High School. My life seems vacuously empty without my "sauna-esque" classroom, a steady stream of late homework, the occasional classroom meltdown, a poupourri of funky body odor, alliterative morning greetings ("mundane Monday" was my favorite), inappropriate jokes, and--most of all--Mrs. Franklin and our students. I miss all of you very much, and I truly treasure the relationships I formed with you all.

In addition, I'd like to thank Mrs. Franklin and her students for their overwhelming generosity during the semester. Thanks to you all, I was in tears multiple times during the final day of school. And trust, evoking tears from this stone-cold pessimist is no easy task! Along with the individual gifts I received from students, Mrs. Franklin presented me with a custom-designed necklace. It was not only gorgeous, it was loaded with meaning and symbolism (a "must" for English teachers). I will keep these gifts forever.

Finally, I'd like to wish all my students the best of luck in the future. You all have extremely diverse personalities and talents. Whether it be through art, writing, interpersonal skills, humor, athletics, music, etc., etc., you all have wonderful talents to contribute to this world; I hope you choose to exert those gifts in positive ways and for worthy people. I am extremely honored to be the recipient of many of these talents in my classroom. I've been completely transformed by this experience.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.