A's Graduation

Just days after our return from South Carolina, B and I hopped into my mom's vehicle and took a trip to Florida to celebrate A's graduation. I was thrilled to be able to take B with me. He had been so sick for so long, I wasn't sure if he'd be able to handle such a long trip.

I met the P family in 1995 in Lynchburg, Virginia. I was attending Liberty Bible Institute and so was B. A was just a little girl and we had a connection instantly. When D and I returned to Lynchburg the summer of 1996, just after our wedding, he enjoyed hanging out with me at the P home. We began a tradition of watching Monday Night Football with them. B, A and I went to the park, went shopping and just hung out as often as we could. In 1997, D and I moved back to the Shenandoah Valley and said good bye to the P family as they moved away. Our communication from that point on was sporadic. I found out that B was very ill and my heart ached for her and her family. Despite life threatening illnesses, she got pregnant and gave birth to a son, A. I was pregnant with B about the same time and when the boys were about a year old, they met for the first time. B flew to Michigan with me to help the P family pack and move to our home town. That summer we spent lots of time together, as B's health allowed.

The P family moved from Virginia a few years later. For several years, I had very little contact with them. Around 2007, I set up a Facebook account and "found" B and A. I had always prayed that God would allow me to remain A and A's "Auntie H." Now, through the wonders of technology, I had a way to keep in touch and peek in on their lives. When A invited us to her home school high school graduation, I knew I wanted to be there. Words cannot express how grateful we are that God has given B these years to raise, educate, love and influence her children. There were so many times we thought we would lose her. God is faithful and she keeps living and loving, despite daily pain and hardships.

Our trip to Florida was filled with fun and celebration! B, A, A and A's friend, A stayed in a condo near their home. We spent time swimming, watching movies and TV, the boys played DS games and we just hung out. We celebrated A's graduation at her church with friends and family. She asked me to share and sing at her service and it was a high honor. I sang a medley of worship songs over her. A is a gifted musician, singer and song writer. It has been a joy to watch her grow in those gifts.

The day after A's graduation, we spent the day at Hollywood Studios. Since B and B were not feeling the best, we took our time and just did what they could handle. B and I flew home (his second time flying, to be with the same friends!). Our flight was delayed due to weather and we were so thankful when we arrived in Virginia, safe and sound.