Hometown Hero

For the next few nights, I am going to take a break from authors and literary characters to focus on the lessons taught to me by my heroes. Tonight is going to be J.Hunt's night. I have known this incredible woman since the ripe age of 16. She has been through the major ups and downs with me and is the reason I teach. Every morning, I parade down to her office for our morning chats, and each day I find myself more and more excited to see her. She is beyond words. Let's take a look at the most profound lessons from J. Hunt.

"Don't worry about the B+; it adds character."

This was said to me while scheduling classes for my senior year. J.Hunt was looking over my transcript and had come across my first B+. I was distraught. I was embarrassed. I was disappointed. I was quickly trying to explain to her how I was a good student and math was tough for me. She stopped me and said, "Don't worry about the B+; it adds character." I remember looking at her funny because I was completely unsure at the time how in the world a B+ was going to make me a better person. I see the lesson now. Life is not always about being the best and succeeding at everything. There is much to be learned during the times we falter and don't get what we wanted. We learn that we are strong and resilient, and we are able to still be great. Don't let the bumps in life knock you off course. Learn from them, and let them add to your character. 

There are people you can completely trust.

We learn quickly that trust is something that is to be guarded and rarely given. Too often, people share what they aren't supposed to, lie when the truth is wanted, and back stab when we think they care. We then walk around with tower-like walls built up around us in order to protect our hearts. Through J.Hunt, I have learned that there are people who you can completely trust. There are friends who genuinely care and only want the very best for you. They will listen to your deepest secrets and keep them just that...secrets. They want to be there as pillars of support. They want to encourage. They want to celebrate successes. People like J.Hunt prove true friends are out there. You have to #1) search hard #2) go through a few bad ones and #3) be very lucky. :) Protect yourself, but when you find a friend like her, enjoy the gift that they truly are. 

Always be kind...even when it's not deserved.

J. Hunt has shown me through example that even though others can be rude or hurtful, it doesn't mean you have to be. She is always kind, helpful, and respectful to everyone, even those who do not treat her the same. When I watch her do this, I see a quiet strength and poise that I admire more than she knows. Always be the bigger person in the situation. You are not always going to be treated the way you deserve to be treated, but that doesn't mean you have to stoop to that level. You can always choose to be kind. That says more about you. When you can step up and be a good person to those who are not good to you, you prove your strength and integrity. Be like J. Hunt, and just be nice. :)

I have learned countless lessons from her over the past ten years. I am excited to think about all I will learn during the next ten years of our friendship. What I do know is that she is irreplaceable to me, and I don't know where I'd be without her. Remember her lessons because I can promise you that they will come in handy. 

Go do good things,

BT