A Life's Untitled and Unfinished Story

Life begins and ends the same way for every one of us. Your Mother and I, as your parents, have given you life and have celebrated that life through your birthdays and special occasions, but it will be the generations of family and friends to come who will honor you at its' end. What lies in between, is the story of your life, and you are the author of that story; so with every page and every chapter, only you can decide how you want that story to unfold. Your parents, your grandparents, your other family and friends are a part of that story, but as the author, you choose the title, you determine the story line, and only you know how it's going to end.

You were born on the night of the "Perfect Storm" in 1991 at 11:42PM. In spite of the weather, I remember just how "calm" you were even though you suffered your first injury, a laceration to the face. Your beautiful smiling face has never been affected, even for a moment, in spite of that birthday mishap. You learned to roll over, just like all the other kids your age, and on December 2, 1992 you took your first steps, and you have been on the go ever since.

Your formal education started at the "Building Block School" in Exeter, New Hampshire, even though you weren't yet potty trained. Like so many things, you picked that up, once you put your mind to it. However, your life in New Hampshire came to an end when your parents moved to Ohio, and that's when you attended Methesco and the ECC, with Sue P... and Mary Lou as your teachers, but your daytime buddies were Megan, Michelle and Abby K. You loved your life there, except of course when you got lice. You had an early exposure to "college" life too with your year at OWU in Delaware. From there, you went on to Smith School and kindergarten with Mrs. D.... After finishing the 1st grade with Mrs. C... at Smith School, your educational life moved to the now very familiar campus of CSG.

The Columbus School for Girls has been your academic home away from home since the second grade and will soon be your high school alma mater. During your years at CSG, you have been on field trips in Columbus, gone to Lake Erie, Templed Hills, Washington D.C., Ontario, Canada, and Anaheim, California. You have played field hockey and LAX, and have been part of the choir, including the Grace Notes, all in addition to doing those mountains of homework. It is truly remarkable how you have been able to do this and accomplish so much, all the while developing into a young lady.

Now that some of the past history has been written down, it is up to you to continue the story, and ultimately, it is only you who can determine that future. You were a Smith Bear, you are a CSG Unicorn, and soon you will be a SLU Biliken, but through it all, you have always been a S..., a daughter, a granddaughter, a cousin, a friend, and most assuredly, a young lady looking at a very bright future. Look to the future, live in the present, but never forget your past. It is your story, and you are its author. I am extremely proud of you; I will always love you; and congratulations as you graduate from CSG. The next chapter begins now!