There was a girl I met the summer before 5th grade at Basketball camp – J – and I doubt she’s thought of me in many, many years, but she had a significant positive impact on my life. And I could’ve been kinder to her – and the reasons I wasn’t had nothing to do with J, and I owe her an apology, but also I want to tell her story.
I met J at St Joe’s Basketball camp – summer of ’98, and we became fast friends. She was wonderfully kind and fun, and I was in public school at the time but not sure where I wanted to go for middle school. J told me she went to Baldwin, and she liked it there, and I should apply.
So I did – and I was accepted – and I would attend Baldwin for 5 years.
J was my first friend at Baldwin – she invited me to her Birthday party – she made me feel welcomed.
We drifted apart – middle school was all friend groups and we ended up in different groups.
But I never heard her say an unkind word.
To me or anyone else.
J’s parents had significant wealth – but you wouldn’t know by talking to her – she wasn’t snobby or anything.
Another student once told me that J had told her that J said when she bought a gift for someone, she never thought about how much it costs – if she thought they would like it she would get it.
I was on the track team with one of her older sisters – and she was kind as well.
They were good kids.
But my father started dating her mother when I was in high school.
And my brother and I – well we didn’t like her.
And I know I was rude to J because of it.
But I’m sure it was weird for her too.
So I’m sorry J – 20+ years too late – I’m sorry I was unkind to you for reasons that had nothing to do with your own actions.
If you read this, I truly admired the kind of person you were. And I just wanted you to know that.
Laughs and Lobotomies 