I've learned people will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel. -Mother Teresa

     I believe I was in 8th grade at the time of my first encounter with whimsy and a negative record. I was entering into my second to final period where I was going to gym. I had this lovely 6 foot 6 gym teacher who wanted nothing but happiness for his students. I remember clearly being in such a good mood because I had witnessed an awesome class before, and I was quite excited to participate in whatever activity was in store for today. I also remember thinking I love middle school. People would laugh at this statement because I know for many this is not a favorite time of life. Truly, though, I loved middle school. In fact, a lot of who I came to be or chose to be occurred in middle school. A big thanks to those former teachers who helped to shape me into the being I am today.

     Down the gray rubber steps I went (going faster than the normal speed we were allowed.) I may have skipped a step or two coming down from the third floor (I really don't remember.) However, as I was making my way around the corner I began to skip (pretty high) and was stopped by the commander of the first floor. This teacher was slightly notorious for handing out "misconduct cards." As a tiny 8th grader I was horrified. Two other students were stopped around the same time, and it was clear (said my little 8th grade self) that my life was over. I had been stopped for "running in the hall." Unbelievable. The record wasn't even correct. I had been SKIPPING not running. Now I wouldn't graduate 8th grade. I would die with a misconduct card (bright yellow) in my hand, and I was a bad bad person. Even worse, that teacher looked at me, with tears streaming down my face and said nothing. She did not provide a hug or an "I believe you." She just handed me the card and that was that. 

I carried such guilt the next few months. However, time flew by. My parents were supposed to get a phone call. They never  did. What I was most concerned about was the fact that I may not get to stand with the others who had "no misconduct cards" throughout their three years in middle school. My record would be tarnished. Ruined forever. However, on the very last day of 8th grade, a list of students with no "misdemeanors" was presented in front of the whole school. My name was on that list. Still, to this day, I'm not quite sure why my name made the list. But when things work out in my favor, I generally don't ask questions.

     Time has passed now, and I do laugh when telling the "misconduct card" story. I thought for sure that one moment would follow me for the rest of my life. As a kid, I was horrified. As an adult, I am now working through a similar issue. Still, I feel like a failure, and I imagine I will continue to feel this way for quite some time (like my middle school self).  They say though, the harder you are on yourself, the more room you have for whimsy. Actually, they probably don't say that, but I continue to say it to myself. 

     And so I suppose what I'm trying to say is-things happen. There are children who come into your class with giant records. Erase them. Are you keeping score about how often you fight with your significant other? Erase that record. Whimsy isn't what's on the paper at the end of your life. It's not how many achievements or mistakes you have made. The only thing that matters day to day is what is written on your heart. For at the end of our life, there is only one who will look at your records. You can be sure, the record on your heart is the one that will determine everything. 

Because as I continue to learn... people will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.