We all know that teachers have an incredibly hard job. But while it’s hard work, it also has its rewarding moments as this letter shows.
A touching school assignment in the form of a letter from a student to his teacher has gone viral on the internet and has shown that there are some amazing educators out there.
When takes with writing a letter-style essay about the “weight that I carry daily” an unnamed student submitted the following to his teacher:
Here’s the full text just in case you’re struggling to read the above. It’s a little long, but it’s worth it. We promise:
“I wish to write to you about the biggest thing I carry. I’ve been carrying this since middle school and it’s been a huge weight on me since I discovered it. The knowledge of my sexuality has been with me for about 6 years now, and it was a burden for a great deal of time. It wasn’t until recently that I started to slowly lift this off my shoulders. I’ve carried this for so long because of fear. I’m afraid of certain people finding this weight. I’m afraid of them finding the weight and thinking differently of me. Thinking negatively of me. Hating me. That’s why I carry it. I just don’t want to be hated. Or even worse, kicked out of people’s life. I want things to stay the same, but I want to get rid of this weight. It’s weighing me down and keeping me from greater things, but again that fear comes into play and makes me think differently. The fear forces me to burden myself by carrying it even longer.
Thankfully I’ve been able to set down minute portions of it, by sharing the knowledge that I’m not “normal” per society. I’ve received mixed emotions. Some couldn’t care less about the knowledge. Some liked me even more for it. And ultimately, some detest me for it. But I care not for those who detest the knowledge. They can go off into their sad little world full of bigoted hate. I couldn’t care less for them. I’ve been able to shave off a great deal of what I carry, but sadly a bit remains. The bit that is reserved for my family. They will be the hardest ones to share the knowledge will, for I don’t know how they will accept it. I have no idea if they will think nothing of it, of if they will reject the love I offer them and disown me as their son, or brother, or nephew. That, like much of this cold, dark world is unclear to me. And sadly, there is only one true way to know how this will turn out. The day I can finally remove this weight for me, liberate my world, is the first great victory in my life. That is the day I just can’t wait to see.
P.S. – The main reason I’ve waited so long to tell you this is I just felt uncomfortable writing you this letter, and that I really didn’t know how it would be responded to. I apologize for any inconvenience that my selfish feelings may have caused. Thank you for reading this. It’s a grand step in my journey.”
And here is the amazing, wonderful response from the student’s teacher:
“I am honoured to be a witness to this weight being lifted off. You are an amazing, dynamic, compassionate, ‘with it’ young man who will give the world a gift just by you being you offering your love and spirit. If people choose not to be comfortable with your honesty – their loss, my friend – their loss.”
Awesome of what? This is the kind of letter that gives you hope. Kind-hearted, compassionate teachers of the world, we salute you!
