"I write, therefore I am."

For my Grandfather Today I wake Knowing you are gone Yet always here In my heart Which urges sorrow. But I push past Into Time spent Experience shared Memory cherished And Life remembered. I will mourn Forever The things lost Because they will never Be done by you again. The buildings no longer repaired, The poetry not written, Gospel books never read. The garden no longer tended, The places not explored, Wisdom never shared. Yet all the while I will celebrate The memories The remembrances And the mark. If you break me open You will see The impact The influence Now cradled And offered So others see you still. You lived so rich and full So tall and vast So wise and gentle. A man of duty, dedication, and commitment To country, To faith, And to family. None moreso than your dear Lorraine. The best way I can honor you Is to make your steps, my steps Your deeds, my deeds In essence, your life, my life. I salute you And celebrate you By continuing to be Me, And in so doing, Reflecting You. I

Part 5 . After the students and staff spoke, it was time for my parents to share their part in what the Graduation program called the "Journey of Vulnerability." This was really hard for my mom because she's an amiable personality who doesn't like the spotlight. She prefers to not draw attention to herself. But, she said, if my sister can jump off a 4 inch beam to go after her success, then my mom supposed she could speak. Recognizing her nervousness, my sister moved closer and put her arm around my mom in solidarity. My mom said she was going to read a story, a true story. "A long time ago, there lived a little girl. She had three big brothers, but she longed for a sister-" My mom choked up. My sister whispered some words of support in her ear. My mom continued, "She had friends, but that didn't stop her wishing for a sister." She choked up again, and exclaimed that she couldn't do it, and was once again reassured by my sister. Seeing my M