Dear friend from 8th grade,

One memory that will always stay with me would be an experience from my 8th grade math class. Before this, I thought patience was just about waiting. I absolutely dreaded math, however I always looked forward to seeing my new friend whom I would help out everyday. Whether it was a simple problem or just listening over and over again to whatever stories he had to say, being there for him was the highlight of that math period. Many would often make fun of him for being slow, or not understanding their playful banter, but it wasn't his fault he was neurodivergent. I still think about the note he wrote in my yearbook, it has stuck with me to this day. When I look back at this moment I realize that patience isn't just about waiting, its about choosing to stay kind and understanding, even when something takes longer than expected. It means giving somebody the time they need without making them seem like a burden.

Sincerely,

Madeleine D.