Family

If you look up the definition of "family" on the internet or in a dictionary, you will get numerous definitions. It's because there is not one single way to describe what a family is or what family means to each of us. Families are formed in many, many different ways. I am learning that through my journey in adoption.....and have learned that from you, my students.

Family, to me, could be biological, but it can also be a collection of people, who spend time under the same roof for a regular period of time, who experience happiness, joy, pain, rejection, depression, laughter, feelings, tears, successes and failures...together. People who support and love one another, even though our differences are as great as our similarities.

DeAndre came to me yesterday and asked if he could read out loud his poem that he wrote about the class, to the class. In all the finals, cleaning, picture-taking, etc. I forgot. I deeply regret that because what he had to say to me, you, and all of us needs to be heard. If you ever believe that you don't make impressions on people in your life, think again.

Below is the poem he wrote for all of us. Enjoy. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and if you're moving on, please keep in touch with me, your friends, your family.

Love to all,

Mrs. Watson

BVP-CCP
Lights… Camera… Action… for all the world’s a stage and we… we are its mere actors… but what use is a stage… the lights… the camera… or any action… without friends…no… dare I say... I do dare… without family

I’m gonna miss it… for you see this semester… will be my last… So I have no choice… but to miss… miss it all… from the bro’s that have my back… to the sisters I could never replace… from Cody’s unique joy to bring happiness on a cloudy day… or Pricilla’s strict attitude to keep us all in line… but still it’s with love… or Malike’s Swagnificent Hustler’s attitude… or Tyrell’s cinematic happy go lucky attitude… to the little argument’s we all have had… I will miss it all dearly… but even still… hands at each other’s throat’s… and even through the blood sweat and tears… we made it… to see each other one last time in this room…

But what I will truly miss… more than anything… more than my experience…. Is my 2nd mother… Ms Watson… Watson… You actually did it… you actually sparked the creativity in me… and awoke the outgoing young man who lied dormant in my soul… you kept me going when I thought there was nothing left… even on your worst days you were the shelter to me in my great storm of depression… You showed me I’m not as worthless as I was told to be… or as worthless as I thought I was… You made me a better person…and turned me into a better man… a man that I can be proud of…and doing all this and watching over me with great love… and for that I thank you.

So you see I couldn’t let you all leave… I couldn’t let you go… not without saying this… you all to have helped me grow… grow for the better… and not for the worst… I can never repay you all… or really let you all know how much you all mean to me… I could spend an eternity writing s novel and still… it would be inadequate… but I digress… I will sincerely miss you all… and I hope you all won’t forget skateboarder kid… grim… Dre… or sprite man… because these are the names I will always remember and cherish as well… so stay in touch… for I could not have prayed for a better family… because I Closely Cherish Peoples (CCP)

Love Grim (Deandre)