Blogging A to Z-"M"

     

 "M" is for mentors. I have been so fortunate to have had a mentor in my life for the past 5 years. The person I'm referring to happens to be an english teacher that I had in 7th grade (I'm almost in 12th now!). I guess it all started when she told us a touching story about bullying when she was in high school, and it stuck with me. It still resonates with me today!

I didn't realize it back then, but it turned out that I'd have the same experience freshman and sophomore year. The fact is, girls are mean in high school! In a school of 4,000 kids, there's no such thing as 'popular'. I turned to my mentor when I was forced to deal with these mean girls. She helped me to realize that girls are mean just because they are insecure and want to make themselves feel better. That is a big life lesson that every one of us needs to learn- the sooner the better! Someday, when I am a mom, I hope to teach the same lesson to my children.

My mentor also helped me when I had three surgeries last year ( more on that in a couple weeks). I was terrified, and I needed an outside voice besides my parents. I love my parents, but sometimes you need one or two outside people to talk to. I was scared to tell her, as I didn't know how she'd react. I told her via email, so that I wouldn't need to see her face when I told her. I got a response the next day, and she was calm and collected, and more than happy to help. I don't know why I was scared to tell her in the first place!

What I find amazing about this whole story is that I didn't see it coming. When I was in her class, I thought she was just a nice teacher who I'd forget about in eighth grade. Some people- like her- come into your life and change it forever. I am forever grateful.

I realize this post is getting long, but this piece is not complete without mentioning Morrie from Tuesdays with Morrie. If you didn't know, this is my all time favorite book. Morrie mentors Mitch Albom in the same respect that my mentor mentors me, but there are some differences. For one, my mentor is not 78, and she is not dying of ALS! Morrie teaches Mitch lessons about everything from marriage to family to death. This is a true story!