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June 25, 2007
Graduation Day & More...
Yesterday, daughter number 2 made her way to the stage to get her diploma, and I have to say it was great to see her march across the stage with a Kool-aid smile on her face. The ceremony was just short of 2 hours, but the time went quickly. The speeches weren't dull, and the students speaking were as articulate as I expected they would be, given that this school district is #153 in the country.
But while the pride I felt at being blessed with such good kids was evidenced by the smile on my face, I was very proud of all the students. Even though it was a day to celebrate the beginning of the rest of their lives, they lovingly paid tribute to their peer, a young lady who lost her life in a car accident weeks before graduation. In a touching show of genuine kindness, the students decided that they would have green bracelets made (her favorite color) with her initials and her favorite saying "Choose to be happy". All 232 students wore their bracelets in her honor, and the class president gifted all school administrators on stage with bracelets of their own (which was especially meaningful since ordinarily they use this opportunity to give the principal a "gag" gift). The ceremony closed with her family walking across the stage on her behalf, receiving her diploma.
To say that this was a moment that none of us will ever forget is an understatement. While we must learn to let our children go forth in the world, it is events like this one that make you appreciate every moment you have with them, and every milestone they achieve.
Congratulations, Amanda. I am so proud of you!
Posted by dvaldesd at 04:59 PM | Comments (2)
June 18, 2007
Homage to my Dad
There are some things that just bring a tear to my eye, and observing Dad's with their daughters is often one of them. While at the movies tonight a dad walked into the theater with his daughter and it reminded me of when my dad and I used to go to the movies (which was almost every weekend!). They were so sweet together! They conjured up memories of all of the wonderful time me & my Dad spent together, and all of the memories we made.
Thank you Dad, for all that you taught me and for not being the typical absentee Dad that can't be bothered with his child post-divorce. Thank you for never missing a weekend and giving me away on my wedding day. Thank you for always lending an ear when I needed it, and always being on my side. And, of course, thank you for the good looks!
Happy Father's Day, Daddy. This is the 11th year that you have not been here for me to tell you how glad I am that you are my dad, but I trust that you know how much I love you. I miss you more than you can imagine.
Posted by dvaldesd at 12:57 AM | Comments (0)
June 14, 2007
Got Books?
Here is the place to go for some of your online reading needs. This site supplies both fictional and non-fiction texts, along with some other stuff. Check out their holdings...you might be pleasantly surprised. They even have Agamemnon, Beowolf, and some of Poe's works. They also have some Aristotle, and Aphra Behn. For those of you not familiar with Aphra, she is the author of Oroonoko, or The Royal Slave. This is one of my favorite short stories. If you want to read something apart from the usual, treat yourself to this story. It is beautifully painful.
I know Tamika will love Agamemnon & his other works which are generously provided at this site, since Aeschylus is here favorite author and she is longing to read more of his works! Just kidding, T!
Posted by dvaldesd at 02:09 PM | Comments (1)
June 11, 2007
Stomping The Yard?
I know that I have used this space for all things academic, personal, and otherwise, but now I am going to add some advice. Parents-teach your children to be obedient! I raised 3 daughters, all of whom have impeccable manners (and not, as you might think, of my own estimation), and have almost always done what they were told. In addition to making children feel safe, it actually keeps them safe.
My neighbors, on the other hand, allow their 2 year old to run the house, up to and including what time she wants to go to bed at night. To say that this is an annoyance is an understatement-even when you live in a shared space no one should have to put up with ridiculous noise levels at unreasonable times of the night/day. Now, the lesson: In case you were thinking that there is no moral to this story, watch this...
There but for the grace of God goes my neighbor's child...Posted by dvaldesd at 05:15 PM | Comments (2)