I’m coming up a bit short on words here, sextos, as I am trying to figure out how to articulate my sentiments. One of my feelings is actually...sentimental. You are about to experience so many new firsts again, as you embark on new journeys and new parts of your lives’ paths. And for me, I experienced many new firsts with all of you. My favorite first: getting to work with you for two years. Since I have no poker face, I cannot lie, it was not an easy two years in some ways, but I have sincerely learned a good deal from my experience with you, and I value that greatly. The small exchanges about language or culture have been some of my most treasured lessons. (We all know I’ll never forget what “Shoot!” is in Spanish now, right?!) The way that students help you to see new viewpoints, whether it is in a discussion about a text, or something else in life, it’s the coolest thing about my job. And in these past two years, each of you has broadened my perspective in some very meaningful way.
As we prepare to say “nos vemos” the words of author Neil Gaiman seem most appropriate. We may have been taught that we shouldn’t make mistakes, but in truth, mistakes are how we learn life’s most valuable lessons. Mistakes push us to reflect and grow and become our best selves, I believe. So, here is the wisdom I offer you through him:
I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're doing something. So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make new mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life. Whatever it is you're scared of doing, do it. Make your mistakes, next year and forever.
Oh, and P.S.: 3...2...Juan...¡Tenet!
