Here comes the Graduate!

Well, it is almost here. I can't believe that she is just about out of high school. It was just a moment ago when she was starting kindergarten, and poof....she has arrived.

In looking back at old year books, she has discovered that some of her friends now were actually in her K, 1st and 2nd grade classes. I told her that this is a hard life lesson to learn. Kind of like now, being surrounded by classmates, but none that are super close. When she starts her life journey, she will find friends in people that were never in that "high school" crowd. Life will give her better friends than school ever did. Very few of us have kept in touch with those from our high school days. Those that have, I commend you.

For those of us that did not, our true friends were discovered by lifes challenges and hurdles. Suzanne came to me at t-ball practice. Courtney came to me at work. Lori was there all along, but really came to be my friend during Jaque's accident and recovery. Cissy came from Chris's friend Shawn. Our family comes to us as we age, and we grow older together. God bless our wonderful family.

I say all this to Jaque to make her realize that most of my friends I found in my 20's. Long after high school ended and life began.

In her journey to discover what she wants to do with the rest of her blessed life, she too will have many friends. She will find those that are there when your screwing up, and those that are there when you are facing the music. True friends lay that cigarette down when you cannot be around smoke, true friends can go a night without drinking to make sure you make it home safe, and true friends (as a wise email once said) aren't there to bail you out, the are in Jail with you.

Days come when she thinks about all she cannot do (for the moment). But then God touches her or CJ sends her a shooting star to make her realize that she can do so much more now, because she has clarity in ways that most young people do not.

I know that this is the point in life that Chris and I start holding on a little less harder, and watching more. I assure her that God will send her true friends that will pick up the slack on the day to day issues. She is getting more independent every day. And true friends do not mind helping. If she would stop and think, they may help her get in her car, or help her get out at Wal-mart, but she is helping them mentally.

Jaque's personality makes you want to be a better person around her. She makes you light up with one smile, and she gives new meaning to each day. She would not only give you the shoes in her closet, the shirt on her back, but she would literally spend her last dollar on you if you were hungry. No one that has ever hurt her could not turn right back around and be her friend with a simple "I am sorry." Her friends see her strength, but sometimes do not realize that she still needs them. She said, "mom, sometimes I know you are right, but somethings I have to find out on my own, see with my own eyes." Yes, dear, sometimes I am right. But in you doing things your own special way....sometimes I am wrong. Had you not leaped on your faith, you would have not accomplished all that you have in life, and that is many things. I hate that Jaque does not always play it safe....But my favorite quality in her is that she does not always play it safe.

God blessed me with her. Once her clay starts taking shape, she will do more than I ever dreamed that first day of kindergarten.

Martina McBride sings one of my favorite songs. She says "And if you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you d a n c e......I hope you dance."

With God, Faith, Family, Friends, and medical science -- One day we will look back on this period of Jaque's life, and be amazed at how she handled herself. And as I will walk beside her, we will feel the sand between our toes, and then we will hear music. And guess what.....we will dance!

Love you all and see you May 16 at fish fry and May 17 at graduation! If you need directions, call me at 580-245-1025.