Christina's High School Graduation -- May 24, 2006



Left to right: Middle daughter Carissa, me, Christina, my sister Jan, Camille my oldest who lives in Germany.

On Wednesday night May 24th, Christina graduated from Ironwood Ridge High School. Christina had had 5 spinal surgeries (two on one day!) over a 4 year period. Amazingly she was able to keep up and graduate with her classmates. Her uncomplaining nature and determination through several years of surgery and recovery have truly been inspiring.

Our celebration was made even more special by my dad and sister coming from Arkansas, and Camille coming from Germany for the week! 

My Dad--Papaw--'s Legacy

My youngest neice, Lisa, is a talented singer-song writer in a raw blues/jazz tradition--finalist in the 2005 BMI John Lennon Songwriter's Contest, and headed to North Texas State University on scholarship in the Applied Jazz Vocalist track. (Hear a sample of her music including her John Lennon Songwriter's finalist song, "Journey" at Porch Swing Sessions.)

Lisa posted the following tribute to my dad--called Papaw by all the grandkids--on her blog recently:

My PaPaw has been visiting us this week. He is magical. He feeds squirrels from his hands. He speaks the language of all fruit bearing plants and they tell him exactly when and which to pick. He sits by the lake and fish jump from the water onto the land beside him. His wisdom does not require words for expression. He can sleep at anytime, but always wakes up before any important happenings. He speaks only fleetingly of pain, and never before the task is complete. I'm blessed to have him in my family.

My oldest daughter, Camille, remarked to me how incredibly Lisa captured the essence of my dad in those words. I have to agree.

My dad is an incredible person, known by most in my home county in Arkansas and beloved by nearly everyone. I've been more than fortunate to have him in my life.