Doyle Daze

Social media has given me the opportunity to reconnect with so many people and some are my classmates from high school. It‘s so nice to reunite but it also brings back memories. Very few of my friends knew how bad things were for me at home. It was a struggle to walk out the door with an unwrinkled, clean uniform each day. I couldn't explain my family environment so I avoided questions by doing my best to hide the situation. I also had a handful of amazing friends who didn't pry and were always supportive and generous. Please know that I am not ashamed; I know my experiences are the foundation of my character.

I recall going to friends houses for the entire weekend, from Friday after school to Sunday night. The weekends meant my dad was home, his friends could come over, and there would be drinking and fighting. It was a constant state of hoping and praying that no one gets arrested or ends up in the hospital. (During this pandemic there are children and teens with no escape. That "weekend feeling" is being extended by 4, 6 or 8 weeks of mandatory quarantine.)

I was fortunate to have friends whose parents gave me a glimpse into the life I hoped to have. I am so grateful for that. They showed no judgement - just love, acceptance and a little sympathy. I don't think I have ever properly thanked those families so here it goes... the Sweeney's (Heidi), the Bourre's (Bailey), the Wozniak's (Agnes), the Melo's (Tracy), and the Ethier's (Natalie) - Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Monsignor Doyle High School is a small Catholic Secondary School in Cambridge Ontario. Aside from the students, I had teachers (Mrs. Fritz & Mr. Stere) and a wonderful principal (Mrs. Price) who always looked out for me. The school worked with me and my circumstances to help me get my Diploma. In my senior year, my dad hurt himself at work and it was early in the construction season. He used up all of his benefits before the winter layoff so there was a shortage of money for rent and bills. I started working full time, the afternoon shift, which meant skipping school after 3rd period. My attendance in 4th period biology was a big fat zero. Mrs. Price and my biology teacher, Ms. Mchaina, made a plan for me to get that last science credit. My teacher gave up her lunch hour everyday to teach me the lesson and give me my homework. I think I passed with a 78.

The school itself was my safe haven. I remember people looking at me like I was insane, even annoyed with me at times. Wondering 'why is she so happy all the time?' I greeted everyone with a hug. I smiled all day long - even when my teeth weren't so pretty. From the moment I set foot on school property to the time the last bell rang I was on cloud nine. School was a welcome distraction. I was who I wanted to be, at least for a few hours. So many people held me up and let me lean on them. For every friend, down every hallway, that returned my embrace - THANK YOU!

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