is astounding. School ended a few days before.  She had told me she needed to buy two books for summer reading, but she could only remember one title.  I was  going to go to Barnes & Noble & I wanted to surprise her, when she came home from camping, with her books & a couple of other goodies. I went looking for a sheet of paper that said the names of the books, in the big pile of papers & notebooks.  I found an index card from her english teacher, it is written in purple ink & paper clipped to a test. Purple is H’s favorite color.  H’s teacher wrote this: “You are unique & are confident in that.  I’ve noticed your sharp intellect, witty sense of humor, and your creativity.  You also care deeply about others. The poor & the powerless of this world will be helped out by the overflow of your heart.  Keep pursing excellence, H.”-teacher

I knew most of that, but I put it down as Mother’s love.  To hear it from a teacher, who took the time to write it down, so that H will remember what another adult thinks of her. On the days when she decides she’s not good enough. These words can be added to her foundation, give her personal strength, needed to get through this crazy life.  Ok.  Eye make up streaking down the face. Excuse me while I attempt to become human by washing my mascara tears away.  I want my new tears to be free of make up, so I can cry all afternoon.  I’ve put the card back where I found it, I copied it first.  I hope she shows it to me.  I don’t worry too much about her reading it here.  I think she is afraid of what she’ll find.