February 26, 1946

Dear Mom,

I know you'll never really get to read this, but if somehow you do I just want you to know that I miss you. I wish I could remember you, but I was two when you died.
I'm in college, now. I've been here for a few months. I miss Atticus and Jem. Jem's already been away at college for three years. College is hard, but I love it! More about that later.
In my creative writing class we had an assignment where we had to write of a time where we could have needed someone, but they couldn't be there for us at that moment. I sort of figured you would be the person I would be missing, but I was having a difficult time figuring out the specific time.
When I was six, I didn't realize that I needed you of course, but now I do. When you're six you don't quite understand life and its negatives. I didn't know of racism and right verses wrong. I didn't fully get it when Atticus told me to put myself into other people's skin to understand them better. I didn't know why Boo (Arthur Radley) stayed in his house all day and all night. I was an ignorant little kid trying to do whatever my brother did.
When I was eight, Atticus got a very important trial. He told me he knew he wasn't going to win, but it didn't mean he shouldn't try. He was right. He wanted to prove his point that it didn't mater what skin color you were, but people didn't get him. They thought he was different, so they didn't even think that Atticus could be right or have something interesting to say.
Atticus taught me in a way that hadn't been heard of before. He let me read every night, for example, even when Miss Caroline told me to stop. He didn't care what other people thought of him. He wanted me to just experience life. He didn't tell me everything I had to learn about life. I never told Atticus, since I didn't realize it then, but I looked up to him. He was so strong and still is. I think the way he raised us gave us a good foundation.
So, about college I decided, even though I'm a freshman, to be a writer. I was thinking about being a lawyer, like Atticus, but I sort of had this feeling I everyone would start comparing us. My first novel, that I've started writing a few days ago, is going to be an autobiography. Sounds a bit weird, but it will be interesting. I'm going to focus on the years when I'm six to nine or something like that. I was thinking about titles. I couldn't think of any, though. It's hard to think of a title that sums up my life. I might write to Atticus for ideas. I haven't told him about my career decision yet. I think he'll be proud and agree with my decision. At first, I thought he might a little disappointed about me not choosing to be a lawyer, but then I realized he's not like that. He wants what's best for Jem and me.
I have to go to a class, right now.

Bye, mom. I love you. Scout