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BACK TO SCHOOL - August 17, 2006
It is a bittersweet time of year for
parents of students going off to college for the first
time. I understand this feeling every few years! First,
it was my own children and now two more grand-children
have reached this point in their lives. Parents wonder,
“Are they really ready to make the decisions that will
be necessary in the coming years?” We agonize as we try
to let them learn from their decisions. I remember
reading, “A parent is not a person to lean on, but a
person to make leaning unnecessary.”
It really is like planting a garden!
When we plant seeds or set out bulbs in the fall, we
don’t see bare ground, we see a vision of a productive
garden. All during the long time of waiting, sometimes
for weeks and months, we don’t give up hope, we hang on
. . . drought, insects, cold hard winters are endured
because of that vision. We are willing to invest our
energy and time because we see the finished product
ahead.
Probably one of the hardest parts, as it
relates to parenting, is the holding on. Often, through
a long cold wintry time that seems to hold little
promise, we still hold on believing that one day they
will amount to something of which we will be proud.
Usually, this happens, but . . . there were days when I
wanted to put them all in the deep freeze and wait for
them to grow up!
We now look at them and hear nice things
people say, and vaguely remember the hard days that are
past. It will be the same with your college students.
You will be so pleased with the results of your belief
in them. We realize more than ever how important it is
to believe that they will succeed! With God’s help!
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Louise Estep will be missed in our
county. She was seen daily on her walk to the post
office, even though her step was slower each passing
day. She was determined to keep going as long as God
would let her. She was a regular at Mt. Zion United
Methodist Church and in the Hospital Auxiliary gift
shop. She was always punctual, very neat, smiling and
proud of her opportunity to serve the community.
Louise loved her family. Her daughters
were her good friends. She could always tell you stories
of her grandchildren’s achievements. Daughter Janet
Davis, Bob Bailey and Neva, and Rodney Davis of
Charleston, S.C., are joined by daughter Betty and Dave
Kirby, Kris and Mary Kirby, Greg Kirby, and Will and
Thomas Kirby to carry on her tradition of Christian and
community service.
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