Wow. It was hard to even write that! I was sad all the way up to that day. In fact, I have been downright teary eyed during Kristin's entire senior year. But, I did fine on the actual day. I decided that I was going to enjoy each moment and I was actually able to do that. I had prayed weeks in advance that her graduation would be something really special to us. Something that we would always remember. I asked God to look upon that day with favor. And He did! He answered my prayer.
We were able to share it with family. We all enjoyed being together and working together. They were a great help during our party and everyone just had fun being together. God also blessed us with GREAT weather. I had prayed specifically about this. We had a sunny, 70 degree day with no humidity, blue skies and fluffly clouds. It made a wonderful day for a party in our backyard. The coverings we put up and the green grass and blooming roses, were the perfect backdrop for a get together.
We had a good time with Eman's family. We went to each other's parties and we able to share in the great relationship that Kristin and Emmnanuel have had in the past 2 years.
My favorite thing about this weekend...I guess one of my favorites..there were so many, was Kristin getting Miss Denbigh. I would have been fine if she hadn't. In fact, I didn't even expect it. She is a great girl and she has tried hard to be a friend to all and not get into the drama and to serve God during her high school days. For her to be recognized for her good character and love for God, was a blessing to this mom's heart! I was overjoyed.
There have been many times, that I wish I could start over in raising Kristin. Most of her early years were difficult because of all our family was going through with Korie, her disabilites and 15 surgeries. I often felt like Kristin didn't get the attention from me that she should have. Those days were dark days. I know I was often scared and just not where I needed to be as a mom. I have carried this guilt with me for many years.
It is good to know that God blessed my intentions and blessed what efforts I made into her life. That is totally Him and not me. I failed in many ways. It is good to know that many people were a part of who Kristin is today. I can think of so many who were a part of her life and in being so, were a part of her gaining this wonderful recognition. I know I will fail to mention the names of all who were a part...so I will just be general and say that those who influenced her were: her sister, who taught Kristin compassion and love, her extended family who didn't judge her but loved her, her teachers, who taught her there was more to life than learning, her coaches, who taught her there was more to life than winning and how to not work --as an individual--but as a team. There was also her friends, whom she picked and picked well, her Pastor, her Sunday School teachers and youth workers who taught her how that God is the center of her life, and various family friends who gave her the chance to minister, to challenge her and to encourage her. She is a blessed young lady.
Now, she is done with high school. Here is what I will miss about her being in school: Riding into school with her dad, seeing her bring the ball down the court and shooting a runner, setting the ball to her teammates, her kneeling in front of her bed doing her homework (she had a desk but that's what she did!), talking on her cell phone at night, seeing her uniform drying on a hanger, seeing her with her friends, hearing her sing in choir, listening to her laugh when with her teammates, sitting with Eman in chapel, and just being around.
I am happy she is going to college. I will miss her. I know things will be different now. I enjoy some aspects of this. I like seeing her work and make money on her own, I like seeing her on the phone trying to make plans with friends and seeing in her in her bedroom. I know all this is about to change. She will make new friends, sleep in another bed, call ME on the phone because she is not here.
But that is the circle of life. It was done before I had children, and it will continue. And so, I will determine again to enjoy each moment and pray that God will give me strength for each season of life. I hope Kristin has a good life, one that pleases God and one that counts for eternity.
Yes, this was a big weekend! One for the memory books! I loved it. It was good!
We were able to share it with family. We all enjoyed being together and working together. They were a great help during our party and everyone just had fun being together. God also blessed us with GREAT weather. I had prayed specifically about this. We had a sunny, 70 degree day with no humidity, blue skies and fluffly clouds. It made a wonderful day for a party in our backyard. The coverings we put up and the green grass and blooming roses, were the perfect backdrop for a get together.
We had a good time with Eman's family. We went to each other's parties and we able to share in the great relationship that Kristin and Emmnanuel have had in the past 2 years.
My favorite thing about this weekend...I guess one of my favorites..there were so many, was Kristin getting Miss Denbigh. I would have been fine if she hadn't. In fact, I didn't even expect it. She is a great girl and she has tried hard to be a friend to all and not get into the drama and to serve God during her high school days. For her to be recognized for her good character and love for God, was a blessing to this mom's heart! I was overjoyed.
There have been many times, that I wish I could start over in raising Kristin. Most of her early years were difficult because of all our family was going through with Korie, her disabilites and 15 surgeries. I often felt like Kristin didn't get the attention from me that she should have. Those days were dark days. I know I was often scared and just not where I needed to be as a mom. I have carried this guilt with me for many years.
It is good to know that God blessed my intentions and blessed what efforts I made into her life. That is totally Him and not me. I failed in many ways. It is good to know that many people were a part of who Kristin is today. I can think of so many who were a part of her life and in being so, were a part of her gaining this wonderful recognition. I know I will fail to mention the names of all who were a part...so I will just be general and say that those who influenced her were: her sister, who taught Kristin compassion and love, her extended family who didn't judge her but loved her, her teachers, who taught her there was more to life than learning, her coaches, who taught her there was more to life than winning and how to not work --as an individual--but as a team. There was also her friends, whom she picked and picked well, her Pastor, her Sunday School teachers and youth workers who taught her how that God is the center of her life, and various family friends who gave her the chance to minister, to challenge her and to encourage her. She is a blessed young lady.
Now, she is done with high school. Here is what I will miss about her being in school: Riding into school with her dad, seeing her bring the ball down the court and shooting a runner, setting the ball to her teammates, her kneeling in front of her bed doing her homework (she had a desk but that's what she did!), talking on her cell phone at night, seeing her uniform drying on a hanger, seeing her with her friends, hearing her sing in choir, listening to her laugh when with her teammates, sitting with Eman in chapel, and just being around.
I am happy she is going to college. I will miss her. I know things will be different now. I enjoy some aspects of this. I like seeing her work and make money on her own, I like seeing her on the phone trying to make plans with friends and seeing in her in her bedroom. I know all this is about to change. She will make new friends, sleep in another bed, call ME on the phone because she is not here.
But that is the circle of life. It was done before I had children, and it will continue. And so, I will determine again to enjoy each moment and pray that God will give me strength for each season of life. I hope Kristin has a good life, one that pleases God and one that counts for eternity.
Yes, this was a big weekend! One for the memory books! I loved it. It was good!
1 comment:
Thanks for sharing that Donna...how wonderful that you had such an especially good day!! You must be so happy and proud of that girl....the Miss Denbigh title is fantastic!!
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