My Son Graduates

Written By: Kim - Jun• 15•16

On Monday, my first born child graduated from high school. Over the weekend, we had about 60-70 friends and family trickle through for a cookout celebrating his life milestone. Other than a 5-minute emotional breakdown on Friday morning due to party planning stress, I remained tear-free. That is until my son presented me with his hard-earned high school diploma.

IMG_3203My son is smart. He knows how things work and how they fit together. He also has struggled with ADD/ADHD. 13 years of work. Countless hours of homework, tutoring and projects. Emails, phone and in-person teacher conferences. Many tears, sighs, groundings and victories have helped our child graduate high school. It takes a village, including teachers, counselors and friends to get someone to their goal. Perseverance matters and we are extremely proud of our new graduate. Below is the content for the yearbook ad that we purchased to congratulate our son.

We are so proud of you, Connor! Congratulations on reaching this milestone in your life. This is the beginning of a lifetime of opportunities. Here are the top 10 things we want you to remember. We love you.

  1. No one will ever love you as much as we do.
  2. Red hair and blue eyes is the rarest combination in the world – only one percent of the world’s population has both. This makes you extremely special. Don’t waste this uniqueness following the crowd.
  3. Life will hand you good times and bad times. Handle the bad times with your head held high, with grace and grit. Handle the good times on your knees thanking your maker for all that He has blessed you with.
  4. Everything worth having in life is not easy or free.
  5. Life is always better with a dog. Always.
  6. You cannot pick your family, but you can pick your friends. Choose them wisely.
  7. The way you perceive and act in the world is a choice and will determine your place in it.
  8. Never hold someone else down, but rather offer a hand to lift them up.
  9. Always think before you act.
  10. Everything is possible with God on your side.

Love, Dad, Mom, Abby, Sydney & Henry

 

 

A Love Letter to My Parents

Written By: Kim - Apr• 15•15

September 8, 1987

Well folks, I’m all moved into my new apartment and about to start another phase of my life – living outside the home for the first time. It will be some experience with Stef, but I’m sure we’ll get through it.

You know I’ll miss you both very much, even though I’d never let on…I even feel a little guilty. I mean, all this money being spent so that I can better myself and no real benefit to you two except helping your child. I guess that’s what being a loving, caring parent is. One day I suppose I’ll understand the sacrifices that both of you make just to help me. I am loved!

A Love Letter to My Parents

A Love Letter to My Parents

Daddy, I never really got the chance or took the time to tell you how much your hard work means to me. I know you’ve worked hard so that you can put me through college. I love you very, very much Daddy. I will always be your little girl. I’d never want to grow out of that position.

Mom, I didn’t forget you. I realize that you and I have had differences of opinions in the past, but that is part of my growing up. You taught me respect for myself and others – probably the most important thing a child should learn. Although I’ve said some shocking things and even thought about them, I always hear your voice and it keeps me on the straight and narrow. Don’t worry too much. I’ve got a good head on my shoulders. I do realize that all of your nagging was because you loved me. If you didn’t, who knows how I would have turned out. There is nothing like a mother’s love – not even Daddy with all of greatness could replace you. I’m just glad that I didn’t have to find out.

I will try my best to make you both proud of me. I’ve got all of the basics – the things that you both taught me: self-respect, honesty, backbone, integrity (no brown-nosing), love of God and others. The most important is love because without it, the other characteristics would not have developed. Both of you showed me what real love is and I know in my heart and mind that I am the luckiest child to be blest with parents like you.

I love you both very, very, very much.

[Signed] Child #5, Kimberly Ann

 

[Note: I was going through some paperwork recently and found this letter to my parents. After spending two years at our local community college, I was off to

Troy University graduation, June 1990.

Troy University graduation, June 1990.

Troy University to finish my college degree. Not only was I the first child in our family and both of my parents immediate family to graduate from college, I was the first one to get a master’s degree. My mother passed away in 2002. My father is still alive, but not online. I wanted to immortalize their sacrifice on my blog. Thank you Marie A. and Emory C. Wickline.]