Hi there,

Sometimes I wonder if you know the impact you've had on my life. At the time we met, I was socially awkward and my whole life revolved around getting things I never really wanted. You help me see the world differently. You really reawakened a dream for me.You gave me the self-confidence to go after the dream I had tried to silence years before.

At a time when I was vulnerable and felt alone, you showed me other things. I remember the first day I met you. It was a cold, snowy day, and I had traversed the treacherous New York winter to take a class with you. I needed a humanities elective because I thought writing might be fun. The one thing I remember about that day was that I stole my sister's big pink jacket; I know that looking back on it this seems like an odd detail to be burned into my memory. Little did I know that day would be one of the most important and influential days in my life.

I remember the first thing that I wrote for your class. It was a short piece on Jerry Garcia's death, which I connected to a subject that I care about — the legalization of medical marijuana. You gave me a B and told me I had potential. I was very proud of that, and I decided to write something else. I decided to write about an unjust system. I was so proud when I saw that 97 percent.

I had a gift; I was sure of it then.

You encouraged me to achieve other things such as independence. You stood by me as I spoke my mind the college about the lackluster conditions for students with disabilities.

Then I was told that the college I was attending may not be a good fit for me. You gave me encouragement, and listened to my fears about searching for a new one. I couldn't wait to tell you how good things had turned out.

I have new friends, and I am pursuing my passion in creative writing. It's the little things that mean so much. You gave me the encouragement I needed to pursue what I wanted to do with my life. You accepted me into your classes on the condition I wrote fiction, and you gave me frank and honest opinions on my revisions.

From this, I learned that dreams are very important, But you never really know how long you have to live in this world. What's after that I'm not sure, but I know I want to live long enough to have an impact on the world. I have learned that I am strong, and so are you. I feel that I am an intelligent woman who has been through her own version of Hell, but I now I'm not afraid to see my dreams anymore. Thank you so much for giving me that encouragement and showing me what Independence means. I decided I want to finish my degree at Southern New Hampshire University. I will be a creative writing major with a concentration in fiction. I hope that my words will help someone else the way you helped mine.

I sincerely hope that you are well and that everything you want comes to you. I'm not exaggerating when I say you have been a very positive and strong role model in my life as a woman, professional, a student and a strong-minded human being.