Compassion

I was the model student in high school - straight A's, Concert Choir president, first chair flute, Homecoming court, had an irreplaceable group of friends, and active in countless clubs and Student Council. This may have reflected my Type A personality - or perfectionist. I have been sick most of my life, having a low functioning immune system disorder called hypogammaglobulnemia. I got quite sick again and was in the hospital for a while. Stress of college approaching and my favorite person in the world, my Papa, being diagnosed with cancer all started to add up. I asked "Why me?" Needless to say, a wave of extreme depression set in. During this same time period, my favorite teacher of my most beloved class, history, was going through troubles of her own. She was struggling in her attempts to have a child and her sister was battling MS. She showed me compassion and emoted resilience. If nothing could stop her, I would have the same mentality. She listened to my problems in an unbiased manner and still managed to be successful as a teacher, sister, and wife during this time. I still look to her as my mentor. Her teaching skills in the classroom were impeccable, but what I saw on a personal level is what I will always remember. Every break, I still drive out to her house for a cup of tea and a play date with her son, Jayden, whom she adopted from South Korea. She couldn't be happier now, and luckily, neither could I.