Sunday was graduation day for my youngest son Cody, and as parent’s gifts the students presented us with Gerbera Daisy’s plants. Not only was I excited to have my son graduate (more on the later) I was thrilled to have some new additions to add to my container garden. This was a bittersweet day for me, Cody had worked so hard to get through high school it was a miracle he ever did it. You see Cody came to our family when he was 14 years old. He had just been sent to live with a father he never knew after his mothers tragic death. Cody became friends with my oldest Dustin and started hanging out at our house. After living with us for quite some time (things were not good with his dad) he asked if we would adopt him. Enough said, we loved Cody and after consulting Dustin about it….because this would also forever change his life, Dustin said, “If we don’t rescue him he will never have a chance in life”. I am so proud of how Dustin put his own life aside to help a fellow buddy and now brother, I couldn’t ask for better kids. So from there the process began and Cody became part of our family.
After the loss of his mother he failed two years of high school, so by the time I was legally in the loop we had a lot of ground to make up. Cody worked hard, with lots of pushing he completed 4 years of high school in 2 years. He was able to graduate with his class and also received a full 4 year scholarship to college as well as 2 scholarships from the community. He will be playing football for his college years, something he loves to do and I couldn’t be prouder. It sure was a struggle I felt like I pushed a 250 pound 6’6″ boy up hill for his high school years, but it was all worth it in the end. My son Dustin is so different he graduated when he was 16 and had a job that same day. He has always been a very hard worker and has a job most people twice his age couldn’t land.
Our son Dustin was with us all the way encouraging his brother to leave the past behind and make a better life for himself. I couldn’t have done all the work without that boy. He has kept an eye on his brother as well as protect him and give him the love he deserves. So graduation day was hard for me, it brought on many tears as I watched the slide show of all the kids I have watched grow up and when they actually turned the tassels I finally felt like I could quit holding my breath. We had succeeded, hubby and I had raised 2 marvelous boys to go out into the world and make a difference.
I love my family, and the wonderful men we have raised. I would do it all over again and wouldn’t change a thing. So for me I will start college in the fall just like Cody and Dustin will continue working hard at his job just like he does every day. Hubby and I are proud parents for sure. Oh and the flowers are beautiful 🙂 I decided to use a $1 flea market find, an old green toolbox as their container. LIFE IS GOOD.