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My Oldest Daughter is Graduating...

My daughter Maria is graduating.  Let me give you some background on this.  When Maria was three she was determined to go to pre-school like her big brother Beau.  Back then I was following the herd. Today I think parents are crazy to rush our babies.  Anyway, she went.  Then came Catholic School that I yanked (yes I said yanked) them out of the school that neglected them and then told them they were neglected because I had more children.  We decided to homeschool them.  Beau graduated last year and is doing fantastic as a HVAC Controls Technician.  Maria is graduating and attending Penn State for Agriculture Business Management.

Maria has been my toughest child to raise because she is nothing like me.  She is better.  She doesn't have the rose colored glasses her mother tends to have.  She looks, she sees and she moves forward to what she believes is right.  A smart woman told me to let this girl bloom...get out of the way!  I did and we couldn't be prouder.  Then the mother in me started to remember this little child.  Her Daddy wanted her.  He had his son and now he wanted his little girl.  The day she was born her Daddy cried and held her and kissed her.  Now they love to tease each other but Maria will always be her Daddy's girl...always.

The word to describe her is determined.  There is a joke between my mother and I about the word determined meaning stubborn.  But in this case, we couldn't have asked for a better gift.  From a young age she was determined to find her way and do it her way!  She found her love through 4H.  The first year she decided to show pigs.  It was for sure a learning experience...she didn't do well in placing but learned much.  The second year she proceeded to win everything with pigs and lambs.  She never had to be told by us to take care of her animals.  She bathed them, fed them and cleaned up after them every single day.  She taught her younger sisters how to do shows and helped Trinity take Grand Champion Pig last year. She has been a grand champion and reserve winner for 3 years and recently at the Pennsylvania farm show took first in her class. 

Anyone that knows Maria identifies her with her love of 4H, but most may not know the spiritual side of Maria, that she has a great love for God and her family.  Katharine Mary (our Kate) was born with Down Syndrome and we almost lost her.  From the moment she learned about Kate's Down Syndrome, she just didn't consider this EVEN a problem.  Maria stayed strong for BJ and I, taking care of the siblings and the house.  The immediate attachment of all of us to Kate surpasses anything we could imagine.  Maria immediately jumped into big sister role with kisses and hugs and again determination.  Maria's determination has only been met with Kate's and Maria wins most of the time and it ends with snuggles of love.  BJ and I are deeply touched by how she became protector and teacher to Kate.  Special needs, special love.  

Today we thank God for this determined girl named Maria!  We thank you Maria for giving your Dad and I the opportunity to teach you, guide you and walk with you through the many roads that led her to God.  Maria, God Bless You and thanks for all your determination to do a good job and get the job done.  Congratulations on all your successes with more to come.


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