#85 - Write a letter to someone who changed my life and let them know

At 31 years old, I have been touched by many people in my life. Some who have celebrated through my good times and some through the hard times.  As I thought about ONE person who changed me the most, I knew immediately who would be the recipient of my letter.  The person I wrote the letter to was someone I met in 1995. It was my freshman year of high school in 5th period and his first year teaching at H.B. Plant High School.  Bruce Yost made an everlasting impact on my life is so many ways that have changed my future completely. Without him...well I just wouldn't even be close to the person I am today.

People describe me as driven, positive, spontaneous, free spirited, outgoing and a go getter. Mr Yost literally was the beginning of every single one of those qualities.  This man is literally the best teacher I have ever had and let me tell you how glad I am that I signed up for chorus.  Below is the letter I sent to him today:

Mr. Yost,

In January of 2012, I decided to make a bucket list.  I was going through some very challenging times in my life and needed a way to have some control over my life through a positive outlet.  Number 85 on my list was to write a letter to someone who changed my life and let them know.  As I thought about all the people who made a permanent footprint in my life, there was one person who really stood out as a pivotal life changer...YOU!

I am now 31 years old and I can honestly say there is no one that I want to thank more for the impact made on my life.  As a teacher, I know you do your job for the love of your students and your passion for music.  I have to imagine that as much as you hope to make an impact, you may never hear it or know what you truly mean to people later in life.

So here is what you have done for me...First of all, I would never have the confidence that I have in myself without you. I will never forget trying out for the "Boy from New York City" solo. You made me realize that sometimes you have to take a chance and have faith in  yourself and your abilities.

Being on the chorus board taught me the importance of being involved! I'm proud to say I was recently elected as President of a national association here for our local chapter.  Being on that board helped me get my current job and I will forever be thankful for that.

Because of the awards I won in your class and being in the chorus "Hall of Fame", I realized that hard work and dedication equal success.  I have won over 15 awards at work including "Salesperson of the Year", "Member of the Year" and many more.

Had I not been in chorus, I would never have gone to school for music which is where I met the father of my 2 oldest sons.  My kids also inherited my love of music and the older 2 have both had major solos at school and in their chorus's (gotta contribute some men as I know we were always on a shortage of them in our class).  I have had some very hard paths to cross at some points in my life but because of what you taught me, I have always been able to get through any situation with a positive attitude and find an outlet through singing.

You truly have no idea how much you did for me as a teenager. I am proud to say I was in your very first class at PHS and 17 years later I still remember and am forever changed by being your student.  From the bottom of my hard, THANK YOU so very much for every last thing you did for me.  I would never be where I am today without you and the values you instilled in me.

Aymee (Prosser) Brace

As they say...the show must go on! I know that he will continue to touch many lives but I am so thankful that I got to be one of them!