Today is the day after Labor Day. Traditionally in Hampton, Virginia, this would be the first day of school for students. However, I did see many Hampton students go back to school at the end of August, so I’m not totally sure of what’s going on. But for me, this was the day to return to school. In fact, thirty years ago today I began my first day of high school. I was thirteen, and as exciting as the faculty and staff at Bethel High tried to make things seem, I was only focusing on getting through the next four years so I could graduate. Oh, it wasn’t all bad, but it wasn’t all great, either. I was part of the Class of 2000: the so-called movers and shakers of the future. But no one really told us about the future, and no one really gave us the guidance we needed. The only teacher who actually encouraged me was my Creative Writing teacher, Mrs. Tracy Rice-Weber (thank you!!!).

I remember taking a career placement test to see which job I was best suited for. Art teacher was my result. That wasn’t a terrible suggestion: I had thought about becoming a teacher and I loved creating art. But I loved other things, such as reading and writing. No one ever suggested becoming a writer. I had read dozens and dozens of books, but it never occurred to me to choose writing as a career. All of those books had to be written, edited, have covers created for them…those are JOBS! CAREERS! But it’s okay, because here I am, all these years later, doing what I love.

If I could I’d go back in time and tell seventeen-year-old Nicole as she graduated from high school, have an open mind and keep your chin up. Things won’t always be easy, but anything worth having is never easy to obtain anyway. Keep writing and creating. It’s all going to lead to some place wonderful.

Have a great day, everyone.