If you could hear me speak, where would I begin?

I've been going back over my students' memoir projects this week. Some of them just hurt my stomach. Most of them chose to do post-secret cards even knowing that it would not be anonymous. It just seems like some of these kids are so desperate to let someone see behind their tough facades. Just a glimpse.

I hate Iraq and all them terrorists.

I took pills for my ADHD

I love the Middle Ages

I am afraid to die because I don't know what comes next, even though I say that I do.

I wrecked a stolen car.

I accidentally backed a four wheeler into my Dad's truck. I told him that a cow butted it.

I have a tattoo on my hip that no one has ever seen.

I hate the word panties because my uncle used to say it.

Sometimes I wish that me and Dan had a baby and had our own family.

My sister had to bail me out of jail when I was arrested for being high.

Pictures of horses calm me when I have a suicidal thought.

I had a breakdown and was put into a crazy house and everybody in my family knows.

I used to sneak out at night and do X

I can't tell time on a regular clock.

I hate cheerleaders, but I'd do anything to be one.

I got drunk for the first time when I was 13. I came home and threw up all over the house and told my mom I had food poisoning.

I eat salads every day so that I won't get fat, but I'm still fat.

I write poems.

My mom still tucks me in at night and kisses my forehead.

I feel ugly and fat all the time. I wish I could be skinny and beautiful.

I don't take my medication in the morning even though I'm supposed to.

I'm afraid my parents are going to die before I grow up.

They still think I don't know...He's my biological grandfather.

I'm afraid I won't be able to depend on anyone.

I have pigment on the top of my eyelids.

I have starved myself since I was twelve. I am always hungry.

I have had two abortions and I am really sorry.

In my own opinion, I thank that American should be made up of Southern folk and that's all.

I only eat twice a day because I am scared of getting fat.

I am terrified of going to sleep because I have horrible nightmares.

I play video games for over 6 hours every day.

My grandpa shaved my face when I was little.

I can't cry.

Most days I wish I would fall asleep and never wake up.

She's my drug and I'm addicted.

I feel like I'm growing up too fast and I blame you for that.

I need to go back to church.

I lie for him.

If I knew I wouldn't get caught, I would rob a bank.

Notice how most everybody's the same? Everybody adapting and accepting to each other...pushing the ones that are different to the outside? Would it surprise yhou if I told you my favorite color was green?

Sometimes I just want to run away...but where would I run to?

I know what people say about me, but I pretend not to hear so that it doesn't look like I care.

Whenever anything goes wrong, I always feel like it is my fault.

I'm afraid I won't be ready when Jesus comes.

Sometimes I make long distance phonecalls to complete strangers.

I love cutting grass.

I was once an accessory in the stealing of the gator from Berea High School.

When I am home alone, I walk around the house naked.

I was sold back into slavery.

I wish I was kidnapped.

I am scared of cotton balls. I imagine them being stuffed down my throat and choking on them.

I don't like girls, but I can't be gay.

When I was in Kindergarten, I faked sick every day so that I could go home.

The doctors say that I am bipolar, but I don't take my medicine.

I got raped all because of the alcohol.

I have weird dreams that come true.

It took me 4 times to get my learner's permit.

I love writing.

I always chew on gum because I am afraid that my breath stinks.

I still get butterflies.

I peed on my step-dad's tires about two weeks ago.

I stole dip from my daddy when I was 10 and now I am addicted.

I almost got a girl pregnant and I really didn't love her like I told her I did. I thought my life was ruined until she was she wasn't. I broke up with her and found me someone I reallly do love.

I don't know how to use a debit card.

I was addicted to tobacco in the 5th grade.

I collect old coins.

WHere were you when I needed you?

My family pretends like we are happy to hide the shame.

I can't swim by myself because I think something will come up and grab and drag me down with it.

I'm scared of getting fat again.

I can't cry except when I see a dead dog on the side of the street.

I always make As, but I am always anxious about my grades because I don't want to fail.

I'm afraid of becoming like my dad.

I might be an alcoholic when I am older.

She thought I loved her.

I would rather eat deer meat than any other meat.

Not all black people run when it comes to doing your homework. I do my homework.

I suffer from premature hairloss.

I go to stores and try on shoes and clothes that I will never be able to afford.

I tell people that I hate reading, but I love reading.

I used to think that papayas were mangos.

I hate sex, but I have it all the time.

I started dipping in the 4th grade.

I never finish my antibiotics.

I don't want to have boys.

I still get whipped at home when I get in trouble.

I love English class, but I can't read very good.

My grandpa raped my mom.

I wet the bed until I was 14. I am still terrified of wetting the bed.

My mom sells meth.

Every day when I get off the bus, I think I will find my mom dead from killing herself.

Sometimes I wish that my teachers would adopt me.

I stole an ipod from one of my best friends.

I sleep in class becuase I don't understand anything.

My boyfriend hits me and I don't care.