Kylie and I were driving to Florida for spring break and while she was driving, I looked at her and these words started pouring into my mind.
Yes, these kids have had good times and lots of good memories, but these kids have had to deal with more than any kid should have to deal with. According to National Institute Of Mental Health, 31.9% of teenagers this year have some sort of anxiety disorder (38% female, 26.1% male).
Talk to your children. Plant the seeds that you are there for them and they are not alone. They may resist, but the seeds will be sown.
Graduation day, closing out our senior year
I try to smile but can’t help to shed some tears
We had good times but I remember those not here
There’s Jenny who was bullied in 7th grade
Took her life the very next day
Tom and Sarah who didn’t believe they had something to say
8th grade was the last time they were alive
9th grade was Julie who thought it was better to die
Than live through the rumors of her having sex that Friday night
Corbin died of COVID, cancer took Brandon home
That was in 10th and for awhile I felt isolated and alone
I started to wonder if anyone is truly ever known
Then 2021 we went back to school but then there was a school shooting then another
In a school a few miles away, I lost five friends who ran but didn’t make cover
There are things you can heal from and then there are things you can’t recover
Those two years took a lot from me, I kept silent when I had words to say
Some days I felt alive, others I didn’t want to stay awake
Then eight weeks ago a drunk driver didn’t hit the brakes
Killed my best friend and her family driving on one last family trip
I’m mad, sad, confused, losing my grip
A valedictorian should show leadership
But I’m standing in front of the crowd
It’s so quiet, won’t anyone make a sound ?
My tears start to come and my heart pounds
I try to gather myself because that’s what I’m expected to do
And I think can anyone else see what I’m going through
Do they know how much this hurts losing them, losing you ?
It was one last trip to the beach
Friends forever, you and me
Roommates at Ohio University
I look out again at the crowd and step away
I can’t do this today, or any day
I scream to release the pain
It was supposed to be you and me
The best of the best of the class of ‘23
You are a part of me, you’ll never be only a memory