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1.) Suddenly I became
2.) School bells
3.) I grew up here
4.) Hide and seek
5.) Middle school
6.) Dear Midnight
7.) Dear Aunt Devren
8.) Dear Mr. Simone
9.) Dear Maryssa
10.) Lastly, I'm a senior
11. Epilogue

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In life, I believe that a person can experience a lot of change. Personally, I believe I have. Not only do I appear different, but I also act differently. Hearing stories about myself when I was younger is one of my greatest joys. I was sneaky and a little crazy. I was also a tease and very messy. When I would climb in the fridge and spill all the eggs, milk, and flour on the floor I would make this big mess right in the middle of the kitchen. When I hit my dad with a baseball bat and ran to the bottom of the bed, bounced off and took off running. When I would take everything I could reach in the bathroom and put it in the toilet. When I waited for my mom to step away from bathing me and I climbed to get the glass ducky and it cut my nose. I think it only describes me as a little crazy but now I feel like it’s in a different way. Maybe for the better, maybe not.

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I remember in kindergarten we had nap time which was pretty cool. We also went bobbing for apples and I still don't like the feeling of water up my nose. We got money and candy on our birthdays with a gold birthday crown. I still remember picking out my big Kit kat. That was probably the only year that I liked going to school on my birthday. We started to learn how to read and write, and luckily I was given an easy name. Who knew learning to write would be so much work. I remember they gave us a paper with all the uppercase letters and the lowercase letters would be right next to it and we would have to trace them right on top of it. After we mastered that we wrote them under the letters. Then after that we learned how to write sentences. Reading was easier than writing at first but it got harder real fast. At first our teacher read to us then we had book buddies that read to us. We went from easy books like dr. suess to chapter books in what felt like a blink of an eye.

I made my first friend in kindergarten without my mom’s help, sadly I'm still not friends with her. I just remember running home to my mom so excited. I ran into my house and told my mom everything. How she lived down the road, her name. How we became friends, all with a huge smile on my face. I remember my first crush. He still turned out to be a cutie but I don’t think I could ever date him. I remember playing t-ball with him and my mom would constantly tease me. Eventually I just forgot about him. I remember making mailboxes for Valentine's Day, pink was the right decision for me. And those red hearts were perfect on it.

3rd grade is when I figured out I was a little slower than other kids. They had me practice reading to them and we found out that I have dyslexia. I was scared at first. I didn't want to be the outcast that was separated from everyone. But, when they did, I was brought down the hall to Mrs. Crosby's room and I found out that I wasn't the only kid in there. There was Mikel and Nataile and I was so excited. We all improved so much thanks to her.

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Small town,

tall trees,

quiet,

pretty rivers,

pretty houses,

old houses,

abandoned places,

grassy,

children playing,

birds chirping,

four wheelers are flying by,

trucks are loud,

roads are beat up,

roads are long and winding,

cemeteries are long,

church is welcoming,

country store us always open (so it seems),

adults are probably smoking,

parents are hopeful and strict.

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My family favorite game is manhunt but inside my grandfather's house. We would always turn off and cover up every single light we could. At first we played with flash lights but as we got older we learned to play without them. When we played hide and seek with the lights on it was always a hide and seek tag. Just because you found someone doesn't mean you got them unless you touched them. This strategy was always my brother's favorite because he was the fastest. Even when he hid on top of refrigerators he would jump down and take off running. My grandfather is a very old fashioned guy so he hated us playing these games, but we always tried to make it as long as we could. The more and more games we all played together the more my cousins started feeling like siblings.
My favorite board game was Monopoly even though the older I got the less fun I was. I used to love this game. We always played it at the kitchen table. I always was the dog or the rubber ducky. Everytime my brother always won and I was always out first. It's a money strategy game and as a kid I really just wasn't smart with my money.

I still play these games with my younger cousins, and my niece and nephews. I want to continue playing these games with my children when I have them. I think it’s good to still have fun and play games. Life can get very stressful and I think it's important to relax and enjoy the little moments.

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My first two years in middle school I had to change from the elementary school district I was in because in 5th grade my parents split up. I still tried to be as happy as I could be.

In 6th grade I played softball and basketball, and I made best friends with Brianna aka Bric and Kearsten. I still played my flute and sang in the chorus and Mr. Brownewell was my favorite teacher. I didn’t go to the school dance.

7th grade rolled around. I stayed on the team for as long as I could till my grades got too bad. I distanced myself from Mr. B and I dropped the flute and chorus. I still played it for myself here and there but not for the band. I am still stuck to Bric’s and Kearsten’s side. But I also start talking and making friends with Ali. Mr. Welch becomes my favorite teacher and i start getting really good at science. For 6 and 7th grade i awill always remember Mrs. Michaud constant brain gym in the morning. Her trying her hardest to get me to learn every multiplication question she could. I remember the pick long dress that I wore to the dance like it was yesterday and my half up and half down hairstyle that I was obsessed with.

8th grade now I’m back at my dad's and back at sau31. I deal with a lot this year. No sports. No band. No chorus. Now I have to deal with a bully. Mrs. Doyon's big English 8cp2 class. It was defentory her least favorite. Kody would always spray on a bunch of Axes before he walked in because he knew it bugged her. Mrs. Crosby was now in middle school as a study hall monitor and she would always play her christian music. Mrs. Hamlin dressed up and taught us all about sexual education she could. Mr. Morris taught us how to make and program robots for the first quarter. You could tell that he was learning with us. Logan and Natalie were my best friends. Sometimes I felt like they were the only two in that school that understood me. In the 8th grade dance I wore a short yellow dress and my hair was in two separate french braids. I felt so girly that I didn’t want to walk in the mud so my dad gave me a piggyback ride to the car. 8th grade is when I first saw Jonah and then I didn't know that freshman year he was going to be my best friend.

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I never thought I would love a cat the way I love you. But here we are. You came into my life unexpectedly. I had dogs I never thought when my sister showed up with a small kitten and put it in my arms I would fall in love with it. But I did. Right from the start I fell in love with you. The day wasn't even over and I had your name picked out.

You stole everyones heart even though when we picked you up you would diarrhea on us. Everyone still loved you. You act like a cat I've never met before. You eat roman, chips, chicken, crackers, and salmon. The list goes on and on. You roll around in the dirt and you go to the bathroom outside. You are honestly so cool in my eyes.

I’ve lost so much but I still have you by my side. No matter where I move I bring you. Some people think having a pet as a child is weird. But I don’t care. You are my daughter.

I love you

Your human

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My oh my. Where do I even start? You are my rock. I don’t believe home is a house because when I'm with you I feel at home. I feel safe. You decided to be the female role model for me and you didn't have to be. I’m not your daughter but sometimes in a way I wish I could be. You spoil and take care of me and you don’t have to. You choose to. Everyday you make that choice.

When I was 14 you told me on my 18th birthday that you would take me to go get my first tattoo. I'm going to be honest, the more time passed the less I thought it was going to happen. I'm so used to people letting me down. But you didn't. You brought me. You gave me coffee in the morning and even let me sleep in. And for the first time in a long time I actually enjoyed my birthday.

When they told me there was going to be a limit on how many people we can go to our graduation. I was scared that I was going to hurt people's feelings because I knew I couldn't invite everyone. But I also knew you were going to be the first invitation. And you were.

You taught me that just because I'm a female does not mean I can't do men's things. You inspire me so much. From being a manager at Aubuchon’s to shooting a pistol. You’re not afraid to get things done. Even if it’s a hard job.

I could sit here and talk and talk about all of our memories but I'm afraid that letter would just be too long. Thank you for stepping up. Thank you for being a part of my life.

P.s.I love you,

Emily

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What's the saying? The youngest and the oldest siblings are the most alike? If so then they nailed us perfectly. I honestly didn’t think anyone would understand me until I met you. I thought I was so broken and damaged that I was living in this world alone. I didn't realize there are people that are damaged just like me. And even in my family. That made me feel not so alone anymore.

No matter how old I get, I will always look forward to going Massachusetts and seeing you guys. Hopefully one day I won't have to be so far away from you.

When we were talking about college you really inspired me to follow my dreams, not what others planned for me. I know after I graduate from college I'm going to be thanking you. The University of Southern Maine is so perfect for me. It checks everything off my list. It's also located right smack in the middle of the distance basically and I love it. You gave me the push I needed when no one else would and I'm so thankful for you for that.

When I come down, I love driving and blasting music. I enjoy sitting down with you and talking about anything is on my mind. I appreciate how you simply listen to me and provide me with honest comments. I adore how you allow me to be myself. I appreciate how you let me make my own choices. I love how you treat me as an adult rather than a child.

Thank you for everything you've done and still will do for me. I couldn't of asked for a better big sister. I love you so much.

Love,
Emily

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I know teachers aren't allowed to say they have favorite students. But students are allowed to say that they have favorite teachers. And let me tell you, you are one of my favorites. I don’t think I would have come to school this year without knowing I had lunch with you and being able to see you. You’ve had such a huge impact on me this school year.

We could talk about anything and everything. You would be so open and honest with me. You gave me the courage to really go after my dreams. And hey just because men are dominated in the police field doesn't mean women can't kick butt right.

Learning with you is fun. You make science not miserable. We built rockets and shot them off. We built a car and made it move. We played science games. We watched videos. For once I was sitting there and doing worksheet after worksheet. I actually got to use my hands and build and learn things at the same time.

I honestly don't think someone can make me laugh when I'm upset like you can. I’m sad that you're retiring but man you deserve it. I'm happy that in a way we get to leave together. I want to thank you for helping me. I don’t know if I would be where I am today if it wasn't for you. But luckily I don’t have to.

Sincerely,

Emily King

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I'm graduating high school, I’ve chosen my college and my major. I’m going to the University of Southern Maine studying Criminology. It feels like yesterday I was a freshman struggling to pass my classes and now I'm graduating with an honor roll. High school can cause a lot of change to someone and I just hope it's for the better.

Senior year flew by so fast. We finally didn’t have to wear masks. Like none of us used our lockers. Unless it was in the locker room for sports. Everyone had such senioritis. Some of us parked in the front row even though it's revered for teachers. Everyone was here at the start of spring fling then when the afternoon came around there was only four of us.

Prom was a blast though. We had a casino night theme. I had the biggest puffy blue ball gown dress. My date was my best friend Noah. And the entire night we just hung out as a big group of friends. Everyone at prom mostly formed this big circle and people would go in the middle and dance together. We even got the cop on duty to join us on a dance.

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If I could live my life all over again, I would smile, and laugh more. I would be more optimistic instead of pessimistic. I would make more memories with the people I love and care about. I would spend less time on my phone. I would try to make less mistakes but we are human and sometimes they happen. I would try to do more sports teams and clubs. But in some ways I would still be the same person. I would probably still love the same music. I would probably make the same friends. I just want to be a better version of myself.