Thank you, to say the least.
Before I met you, I wasn't sure there was anyone in the world who could love me the way that you did; completely and totally and unconditionally for everything that I was and was not.
To preface this, I was cleaning my room tonight and found the box of all of my journals and notes from the hospital. Hesitantly, I opened it. Inside I found the most meaningful piece of paper that i have ever received. It was from a boy I mentored in the hospital, the same boy who shaped me into who I am today.
His name is Andrew, and he was eleven when we met. Fetal alcohol syndrome, down syndrome, and a couple of other handicaps loomed over him. Despite his physical and mental limitations, he was always smiling the brightest, most heartwarming smile I had ever seen.
Andrew and I became instant friends as soon as I was admitted. We would always draw or paint together, and we were able to communicate through our art. We began drawing pictures for each other and hanging them in our respective rooms.
It never really occurred to me that I made an impact on him until two nights before I was discharged.
Andrew's evening nurse, Manny, helped him pen a letter to me. It had multiple drawings and notes all over it, some written by Manny, some written by Andrew.
The letter ended with "Sammiy, you're worth it. Hang in there one more day" as soon as I read the letter, I couldn't help but cry tears of joy. Andrew changed my life-and has a lot to do with why i'm still here today.
While I haven't seen him in three years, I could still picture his smile when I found that letter.
Andrew, if you ever read this, I just want you to know how grateful I am to have met you, and I cannot thank you enough for inspiring me to mentor other kids and teens with mental disabilities. You truly changed my life in the short few weeks we saw each other. Thank you for always helping me hang in there one more day.
