A light at the end of the tunnel...Dedicated to La

Dear La (affectionately known as Beverly),

I wish I had some profound words to say to you; I don't, I'd be lying if said I did. But, trust me, when I tell you "I know where you're at," I am being uncompromisingly honest. I remember that loooooong, unforgiving last stretch of my senior year....ah, the fact that I never have to return there is...refreshing. No, that's not fair, I don't want to make it sound that dreary, but I remember the feeling; leaving familiarity, yet at the same time looking forward to something new, college and the UNKNOWN, putting aside B-ville/UCHS drama in exchange for something...better? Change is frightening, and I know that's probably not your biggest fear, you've always performed well under pressure and changing circumstances. I've known you for quite some time so don't think for a second that I give into everyone else's preconceived, ill-founded notions about you. People are brutal and ignorant, as I told you in my text (hmm, this seems to be a presiding THEME in my blogs so far), and no one wants to look at their own mistakes without first taking a magnifying glass to everyone else's transgressions.

Yet, as you said in your text, there's still that little spark of apprehension (that's a good word) associated with the thought of "reliving high school." This one's the double edged sword: after all I've been through, learned, dealt with, and suffered through in life, I can without a doubt say that LIFE DOES GET BETTER AFTER HIGH SCHOOL. However, I can also say that there are day-to-day affairs in every walk of life (jobs, interactions with friends, relationships) that mimic a sort of high school mentality. You could be at UGA, Young Harris--heck, even YALE, for that matter--and life will throw you those ridiculous high school-esque situations. Now, though, YOU have the choice about how to respond to these. As you grow older and wiser, you will learn to pick your battles, overlook the petty stuff, and not spend a moment worrying about what makes absolutely no difference in the long-run. I know you may not see it now, but you will, I promise....

Oh, and FLEE, FLEE, FLEE from those who try to create drama! Those type of individuals are nothing but destructive to themselves and others around them. You will become a miserable person quickly by associating with those people.

You know I feel like I'm graduating with you all. That's corny, I know, but like I told you, I've known so many of you seniors for what seems like forever. It's a new beginning for all of us. What now? Pray. Trust God. Learn from your mistakes and don't repeat them again. Don't give in to moral compromise. Be strong. OWN YOUR FUTURE. With so many people for four years telling you to "do this and do that," of course we've made it frustrating. But, that's the territory that comes along with being labeled an (shall we say it!!??)...adult. Lauren, I've told you so many times in the past that you have a "good head on your shoulders:" you do. I mean that.

God put this on my heart, so here it all is, typos and all. Yet I am only one person in the world, so take it all with a grain of salt. I'll leave you with something from a much more reliable source... :)

The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you."
Psalm 32:8 NLT

I LOVE YA!!!!