For Lindsey

As I mentioned the other day, we had a graduation party to attend.

This wasn't your ordinary graduation party.  Becky and I met Lindsey and her Mom, Teresa, when the girls were two months old.  They'll soon be 18.  We might not get to see each other often, even though we are only 20 miles apart, but when we do, it's like we've never been apart.

The girls birthdays are a week apart and for many years they celebrated them together.  We had their portraits done together.  We even had some matching outfits for them!  A few years ago, we took a trip to South Dakota together and last year they got us camping.

There are few people I know I can depend on and Teresa and Lindsey are two of them.  So it was with great pride to attend Lindsey's graduation party.

Lindsey is a beautiful girl.  Literally.  Inside and out (I would post her picture but I did not have a chance to get her permission first).  She is sunshine and light...not a common description that can be applied to many teenagers.   She handles all of my sarcastic humor with grace and isn't afraid to dish it right back to me. I admire that about her as she never crosses a line into being disrespectful.

It seems like only yesterday that "the girls" were learning to crawl together, or walk, or run.  When they were 2.5 years old, we had to move to Texas for about a year.  I will never forgot the scene as we were driving through their neighborhood upon our return and Becky caught sight of Lindsey being pushed in her stroller by her Mom.  Becky spotted her and made a very deep, emotional sound of joy unlike I'd ever heard before or since.  Once we stopped and got together, I didn't think Becky would ever let Lindsey go.  It's how she carries Lindsey in her heart to this day, although she doesn't let it be known as easily.

I held Becky back a year (thank goodness...I'm not ready and I doubt I will be next year either).  She'll graduate next year.  Tomorrow we are going to have her Senior pictures done (gasp). 

Lindsey made sure she came and sat with me at her party.  Can you imagine that?  Her boyfriend was there and so were several of her friends and she spent time with me.  If that wasn't enough, she "dropped" her boyfriend off at my table after introducing him to me.  He and I had a nice visit but I was stunned at her leaving him with me.

I found out today why she did what she did.  She told her Mom the story.  Lindsey told her boyfriend "You have to meet Jill.  She's important."  I don't think I have ever been so moved.  I told you SHE is special.

So in closing, I want to say this to Lindsey:

You are a bright and shining star.  Go forward with confidence and be true to yourself.  Your heart will lead you well.  Keep smiling the way you do.  It opens doors.  Follow your dreams.  You can and will achieve anything you ever set your mind to.  Keep a level head. Your well thought out decisions will secure your future happiness.

God Speed, Lindsey.  We love you.