The Graduate

I'm late getting this info out - Janna graduated!  Also, about a month ago Janna received an award.  It was the Outstanding Female Drama Student 2010.  Here she is pictured with her drama teacher, Mr. Schmidt. She had drama all four years of high school and Mr. Schmidt was her teacher those four years. He was a big influence in her life and she feels she's a better person because of it.

  Lots of friends to say good-bye to.

The Indie crowd gathered once again for Janna's graduation
party a week before graduation.  It was at the Burgess house.  They supplied the place, we supplied the food, and Janna supplied the friends.  What a combination.  Everyone seemed to have an enjoyable time and it was a nice prelude into her last week of grad rehearsals, saying good-bye, and the big day.

 
Khoa and Janna on the big day, May 27th.

Janna threw her hat before anyone else and must have screamed the loudest, "I've GRADUATED!"  We ended the evening as a family, out for dinner, talking.  The senioritis is cured.  Now it's time to move on to bigger and better things.

The BEST to you Janna! 

Janna after Seminary Graduation in May

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

in any direction you choose.

You're on your own.

And you know what you know.

You are the guy who'll decide where to go.

Dr. Seuss 

"Who Am I Poppy?"

Teresa, our caregiver, comes to my father's home every morning and evening to take care of him. She does a lot of work tending to my dad.  He knows who Teresa is and is grateful for her care.  She is a great relief for our family.  In between, Cassie is there to assist my dad with his daily needs. She essentially "senior sits". We (Hugh, Becky, Janna, and I) rotate filling in here and there when needed, but Cassie is really the mainstay. Cassie also has her four entertaining boys to care for in the mix. What a household!  We are so thankful for her service.

Every day Cassie asks her grandfather if he knows who she is.  He doesn't or at least doesn't respond like he knows even though Cassie tells him every day. It is what it is; my dad has Alzheimer's.  Anyway, Cassie took a respite for a few days last weekend.  After she came home, my dad, who most of the time doesn't know who Cassie is, recognized her and even called her by name.  He seemed happy to see her.  She was so pleased by his awareness and energy.  They visited for awhile and Cassie took pictures of the happy moment.

Cassie with Poppy, happy because he knew who she was.

Poppy and Boys

“A true friend [/granddaughter]

knows your weaknesses

but shows you your strengths;

feels your fears but fortifies your faith;

sees your anxieties but frees your spirit;

recognizes your disabilities

but emphasizes your possibilities.”

 William Arthur Ward