When I graduated in 2010, I ventured out to do something I had been dreaming of, with no real purpose behind it and not even close to enough money to afford it. I ran away to England, lived in a Castle, and had the best time of my life doing everything that I love. I met the most wonderful people, did everything I possibly could to be involved with my school, my village, and my friends. It was only 3 months, but they were the most unforgettable 3 months of my life. That's all I could do. I cried all the way to the airport but I reassured myself that I would have no regrets. The fact that I was so close to NOT going in the first place and instead had this amazing adventure, how could I possibly regret that? But I had to return to Canada. I had to keep going with my life. My friends stayed. The people I met and loved had a whole new set of adventures that I couldn't be a part of.
It's been 3 years now. A whole new set of students are living the dream in the Castle. How could I ever expect to still have a part of me roaming those stone halls? My time had ended, and those who knew me best have left too. So what a surprise when one of the staff members forwards me a copy of their recent newsletter. I flip through the pages and see countless faces that I don't recognize, all the new Hogwarts students, and while I do enjoy reminiscing, I'm trying to understand why this issue? Then I see it. Pictures of my book in large coloured print. The whole page dedicated to me and the release of my book. Hundreds of students who have never met me and probably never heard of me are reading my name. It's not the publicity of my book that's making me cry - I've been remembered. I've been away for 3 years and yet some part of me is still back in that Castle.
Maybe this is fate. In a couple of months I will be back in England, I'll be visiting my Castle. I'll be newly married, on my honeymoon with my new husband, but I need to show him where I fell in love with life itself, where I discovered the best of myself, where I truly realized that I can do anything! That's what's making me cry - I'm crying because it's me who keeps forgetting about that amazing part of me. Thanks for reminding me, Rachel and everyone at Bader/Herstmonceux! Forget the book; I have a lot to be proud of!
If you want to see the newsletter, it's here.
And because I'm feeling sentimental, here's a few pictures of my adventures.
It's been 3 years now. A whole new set of students are living the dream in the Castle. How could I ever expect to still have a part of me roaming those stone halls? My time had ended, and those who knew me best have left too. So what a surprise when one of the staff members forwards me a copy of their recent newsletter. I flip through the pages and see countless faces that I don't recognize, all the new Hogwarts students, and while I do enjoy reminiscing, I'm trying to understand why this issue? Then I see it. Pictures of my book in large coloured print. The whole page dedicated to me and the release of my book. Hundreds of students who have never met me and probably never heard of me are reading my name. It's not the publicity of my book that's making me cry - I've been remembered. I've been away for 3 years and yet some part of me is still back in that Castle.
Maybe this is fate. In a couple of months I will be back in England, I'll be visiting my Castle. I'll be newly married, on my honeymoon with my new husband, but I need to show him where I fell in love with life itself, where I discovered the best of myself, where I truly realized that I can do anything! That's what's making me cry - I'm crying because it's me who keeps forgetting about that amazing part of me. Thanks for reminding me, Rachel and everyone at Bader/Herstmonceux! Forget the book; I have a lot to be proud of!
If you want to see the newsletter, it's here.
And because I'm feeling sentimental, here's a few pictures of my adventures.
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