Pomp & Circumstance

Here it is -- the day I've known was coming for 13 years. Am I ready? Is Rich ready? Like his mother Rich is a procrastinator. We found out at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon that he WAS going to be able to walk with his class. Mind you graduation starts at 6:30. No pressure what so ever. (LOL) Rich is smart, however he is too social. He also has this bad habit of doing the work, just not turning it in. Hopefully he will have learned this practice isn't good and change things before college. (Is this wishful thinking?) I no longer have to worry about lunch money, parent-teacher conferences, class parties, and field trips. Now I just worry about how he will do in college and life on his own.

Rich has always had such great teachers. It started with Ireta Lindway and Sue Roberts for preschool, then on to Gayle Chapman for kindergarten. and many others, whose names I can't remember (or too numerous to mention). Gayle retired about a year or two ago and taught two or three of my younger siblings. She still remembers Rich. Her words "he is one of those kids you can't forget." I don't think she meant it in a bad way. Even then he was quite the talker. She even put him at his own desk away from everyone and he still talked!

Rich was never a "jock". He was never one of the "popular" kids. He did have a part or two in a play here and there. (The Pied Piper, The Wiz, and a class play his freshman year.) He enjoyed journalism and helped with the school paper (the few issues they produced). I've been told he has a quite a talent with writing, as he is a very deep thinker and his writing is beyond a high school level. His greatest accomplisment by far though has been his photography. He has won several awards with his art and we are very proud of him.

Though Rich doesn't win awards for sports, or popularity, he has compassion. He has always been the friend to the underdog, the misfits, etc. Compassion will get him farther in life than being able to play ball. I often think as a parent I failed. Especially during the time when I was a single parent. I think, "if I could just turn back the clock." Then out of nowhere my son surprises me. He listened, he learned, not just from me but from his teachers, friends, and the others involved in his every day life.

Congratulations Rich! We are so proud of you and all of your accomplishments and know that you will go far if you set your mind to it. We love you! Mom & Sterling