I have a little treasure box of mementos that I saved from high school. There, with ticket stubs from football games and dried flowers that are now only crumbs, was a piece of notebook paper with this hand written on it.
“I’m seventeen and only just begun living. There’s a lot ahead of me, good and bad. But in the long run I think I’ll be happy. This is because I believe the most important (thing) in life is my final outcome. If I always try to do my best and what I truly believe is right; then I am successful.
I have an insight or deep understanding for myself and other people. I understand their feelings and why they act the way they do. I am a very sensitive person and find it hard to hurt anybody intentionally. I can’t keep the truth from people. I feel guilty if I’m not honest.
I have high standards and try not to change them or let them be influenced by others. I have a strong will.
I am open-minded and consider both sides of something before taking a stand. I always want to learn new things and have a broad area of interests. I am versatile and adaptable.
I am generous and don’t demand things from others.
I have strong morals. I love people and life, but more important than anything, I know that none of this would be possible without God.
~ Terry Keefe, 1976″
Everything is different now, but nothing has changed.