There is something to be said for someone who perseveres through tragedy, either unsuccessfully or successfully.  It takes abilities one never thought they had.  While no one really close to me has passed away, I had tragedy in other ways.  Many of you know I make mistakes often.  Language wise you would not believe how many English teachers frowned at my works.  In 6th grade my teacher would say from across the room “Can you spell the word girl?” Embarrassing, quizzical, and it basically put me on the spot in front of the whole class, though for some reason I always answered it correctly.  However those pop quizzes never prepared me for the responses to my papers later on.  I remember crying in a cafe when speaking to the head of the Special Ed department (my masters program) about my masters thesis introduction on teaching students with disabilities.  I couldn’t tell you the amount of tears I cried over words on a page throughout my education. 

Well this goes with relationships too, I haven’t many friends or friends that lasted long.  It seems no matter what I do I am unable to maintain friendships.  Most of the time rather than discussing with me about it, they just disappeared or made excuses as to why they can’t see me.  Now I don’t equate these to other horrendous tragedies though they do humble a person completely. 

Though the friends I do have are ones I can confide in or trust unequivocally and have heard my thoughts on this often.  I am apt to think about it as the president goes to Cuba.  It takes another perspective and new approaches to work through differences.  One must remember mistakes so they don’t make them again, one must also remember how many versions of Windows and other items need updates to fix problems and accommodate increasing necessities.  We all continue to persevere through our challenges.

-Jennie Nawrocki