{Mama's Award}

A few years ago, my dad was contacted by someone at the local middle school where my mother taught before she went Home in 1995.  They had, for several years, been selecting a student in the special education program as a recipient of an award in my mother's memory.  We were so humbled to hear that they were doing that but even more so when they asked if our family would like to be a part of presenting the award.  Absolutely!  So, for the last 3 years, my sister and I have been able to present the Beverly Cole "Attitude" Award!  This year the 7th and 8th grade award programs ran concurrently so my sister and I had to divide up and each take one grade.  I had the pleasure of presenting two awards (male and female) this year.  I have always been of the school of thought that kindness counts more than anything.  Yes, we teach and push our kids to do well academically in school but, more than that, I want to raise kind, loving, considerate children who will ultimately impact their world.  It was a tremendous honor to acknowledge these kids in their middle school for exactly those attributes...my mother was truly the best teacher of them to me and all who were under her wing for any period of time.  And...such a blessing to honor her memory in this way!

And...yet another thing...I was not initially planning on taking my own kids {because Panda isn't exactly much for sitting still these days} but after they all woke up bright and early {and in relatively good moods} and joined me on the back porch for my devotion...I decided that they needed to be there to see the legacy that their Grandmother has left.  It was perfect!