Okay, guys... I am so excited, I can hardly stand myself! But I'm not going to just tell you why -- you have to try and guess! Post your guesses in the Comments, and THEN scroll down and read the rest of the post.
Are you sure you guessed already?
Don't keep scrolling if you haven't posted your guess yet!
Okay, I'm going to go ahead and write it: I AM GOING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL!!!! I have not been to school since the 2nd grade -- that was 6 years ago! So, I'm guessing that you want to know how this all came to happen? Well, it all started last year, in the 7th grade....
When I was in 7th grade, I went to Gwinnett Online Campus (GOC). It was a pretty cool school -- most of the work was online, but you got to go to school and see your friends for two half school-days a week. However, I was stuck in the hospital a lot, and if I missed just one of the half-days... there went half my week of school and friends! I kept feeling like, what's the point in going to this school if I never really get to see my friends? Because, I had started GOC so that I could be around more kids... and I only really got a tiny taste of what it was like, because I kept getting sick and missing school.
At the end of the school year, I told my mom that I did not want to go back to GOC again. It wasn't because I didn't like it there -- it was just that I wanted something more. You know? So, my mom emailed and called GOC and the school that I wanted to go to, which is Lanier Middle School, and they finally got a meeting scheduled! (It was a really last-minute meeting... we went in yesterday, and school starts this coming Wednesday!)
So, yesterday my mom, dad, nurse (Ms. Kristi), and I walked (or in my case, rolled!) into GOC, where the meeting was going to take place. There were maybe... 10 other people in the room. Some people I did not recognize, others I had met but didn't really know, and then there were a couple people who I knew really well from GOC. I was so, so nervous! Whenever someone asked a question, everyone in the room would turn to look at me, and I would feel my face turning red.... and I felt kind of dumb, for being embarrassed and/or not being able to answer the question.
But finally, the most important part of the meeting was over, and Ms. Kristi and I slipped out. We were almost POSITIVE that I was going to Lanier!!! I started texting like crazy, telling everyone the news. And when I called my grandma, (I call her MomMom) we stayed on the phone and talked for at least half an hour. Then, my parents walked out of the meeting and over to us. My mom handed me a stack of papers and said, "Congratulations -- you are officially a public schooler!" When we got out to the parking lot and I got out of my wheelchair.... I screamed, as loud and high-pitched as I could! And then I called my other grandma and grandpa, (Nana and Opa) and told them the news... and when I said, "I'm going to public school!" my Nana screamed even louder and higher than I had! I could barely hear Opa cheering in the background, haha.
So, I am officially a public schooler, an 8th grader.... and a TOTALLY EXCITED TEENAGE GIRL!!!!!!!!! Haha. I told my dad last night that I thought I was 'mildly in shock', and he just laughed at me. But it really is true! I still can't believe this is happening to me.
One last thing before I log off -- yeah, I am so excited.... but a little nervous, too! I mean, it has been 6 years since I last went to school. And, when I did go, it was in 2nd grade, not middle school! I don't really know how much homework I'm going to have, if my teachers will like me, or if I'll fit in with the other kids. But even if I get a ton of homework, my teachers don't like me, and I don't immediately make a bunch of new friends, I think I'm gonna enjoy this school year!!!
Hi Mattie,
ReplyDeleteI'm THRILLED to hear you get to go to Public School! I hope it's totally awesome!
Ms Lu
Mattie, We're so happy for you. You will make lots of friends with no problem at all. That smile of yours has a way of knocking down walls. What a wonderful and well deserved change. We love you, The Gibson family
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! Have a great and wonderful time!! Excited for you! :)
ReplyDeleteMattie
ReplyDeleteMy girl, I have watched you grow up, a little bit from a far...you sound just like Olivia though. Last year was her first year and it was 10th grade. She has a lot of the same challenges and then you both have different ones. We pray for you all the time. But, I just wanted to let you know that it will be worth it. Olivia's year last year was hard in some ways and awesome in others. But, she is still excited about this year and can't wait for school to start. So happy for you !!!!!
Mattie,
ReplyDeleteHi! My friend Judy sent your blog my way. I am so impressed by you and excited for your start IN school this year, in 8th grade! You see, I have KFS as well. You inspired me today to keep pushing forth even when times get tough. I run the facebook page for the Klippel-Feil Syndrome Alliance. I am going to share your blog tonight on the page! You will have many more who are inspired too!
Thank you for sharing your days with all of us. Come check us out.. you will be tonight's highlight! https://www.facebook.com/KlippelFeilSyndromeAlliance
Best to you,
Sharon Rose