Over The Years

For over ten years, I have worked with an older man as part of my crew. He is very fond of children and soon after getting to know each other pretty well, he "adopted" the kids as foster grandkids. "PaPa" Johnny has done this with other children of co-employees, but he came in this morning to say he and his wife would be unable to attend any of Savanna's graduation doings. He sat down in my office side chair and shared a cup of coffee before work time ( we both have a habit of arriving 15-30 minutes early) and said to tell Savanna that it doesn't seem that long ago that she helped him operate the backhoe ( she was 7 or 8 at the time) and that she fell asleep on his shoulder coming back from Lake Guntersville with Graham and I when he came to get us and our boat when my truck was stolen from the boat ramp parking lot ( fortunately the dastardly thieves left the trailer, a story for another time) . He has saved pictures of her from the ballet recital when the paper ran a community news item and has always tryed to keep up with all the goings on with all the kids.

When he left out to start the work day, the upcoming graduation and all the preparations came to mind. Actually, we have been preparing for 18 years, with lullabys, bed time stories, 4K, kindergarten, and 12 grades. In spite of my shortcomings as a parent, Savanna has been blessed to learn and mature to this point. Her mother has spent much effort both academically and home training and she is to be highly commended. Savanna is ready to make the next step later this year to Auburn, but tomorrow evening she steps out to recieve her high school diploma and for that, she is to be congratulated.

We look forward to receiving family and friends after the ceremonies to help Savanna celebrate.