What I didn't say

Last night, I found out one of my favorite teachers from high school had passed. It took me by surprise, and I found myself at a loss for words. I had Ms. Thornhill my senior year for AP English. She was one of the most difficult teachers I had in high school, and also one of the ones that best prepared me for college. She was stern but caring, honest, bold, strong — she expected every single one of her students to do their best, and then improve.

When I found out, one of the first things I did was search my emails for her name. I haven't been nearly as good as I hoped I would be regarding keeping up with high school teachers. I did, however, remember exchanging emails with her at one point in college. I thought it had been more recent. It was my freshman year at JMU. I reread every email last night and cherished the advice she gave me years ago, reflecting on how true it turned out to be. She ended those emails asking me to keep in touch when I could. Reader, I can't tell you just how much I regret not keeping in touch.

Life is busy for everyone. Days and weeks fly by, we get caught up in to-do lists and plans and we forget to touch base with those we care about.

Yesterday taught me that it's not enough to think and reflect on how much people have meant to you. Nothing in this life is guaranteed, and we can't always wait until things are convenient to act. I moved away from my hometown in the Chapel Hill/Pittsboro area, where my roots are, about five years ago. I may not go back there much, but some of the people I met there mean so much to me.

If there are people in your life that you are thankful for, let them know. Don't wait for five years to go by. Don't wait until it's convenient, or until it's too late.

When Ms. Thornhill and I last emailed, she signed off "love, ms t" and her signature read the following:

"The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher regard

those who think alike than those who think differently."

Friedrich Nietzsche

I'm so thankful for all that she taught me. I hope she knew that.