River

For those of you who do not know, River was elected President of her sophomore class at Allied Health Academy - It is kind of like a pre-med type school. This year she gets CPR certified and by senior year she will be able to take the test to be an EMT. River is interested in Doctors Without Borders which is an organization that help people medically in third world countries. We are very proud of her. She is a wonderful young woman who has such a big heart. Last night was Back to School Night (one of three we have to attend.) We were able to see how blessed we are to have her in such a small, focused learning environment. Each teacher had more than rave reviews about River. One of her teachers told me how earlier in the day River had called a meeting of the entire sophomore class in the auditorium. Most of the kids were sitting in the back but River kicked off her shoes, jumped on stage and persuaded them to all come up to the first three rows. He was surprised how great she was at taking charge of the meeting, presenting her ideas and engaging them with sharing their ideas as well. I know when I was in 10th grade I would have been really nervous to speak in front of the whole class. But not River, it seems she is not afraid of anything. I remember when she was a one year old she would climb up to the top of a really tall slide before I could get up there to put her on my lap she would shoot down and land in the dirt on her bottom. Picking her self up she would run back up to the top again. She would even see a stair case and want to just jump off the top step. Many times I barely made it to her before she launched into mid air. This past weekend Juan had a motorcycle run fundraiser for NYCR and he borrowed his dad's motorcycle to ride in it. River wanted to ride on the back and go too and after a bit of reluctance from me I said okay. That was a mistake because she LOVED it. Get this, especially the part on the highway going really fast. I didn't like that one. Anyways, my point is that River seems to have no fear and a great ability to lead. Not only lead though, it is as if people want to follow her. Parents would run into us in the different classes telling us how their son or daughter talks about River all the time, or how their daughter told them that she has 3 classes with River. The teachers just go on and on about her. I never really talk about how wonderful River is because I don't want to make the other kids feel bad or to think that I love River more than them, because I don't, I love them all the same. But in doing this I have neglected to acknowledge River really much at all. She always gets the short end of the stick around here because she doesn't mind so much. Like if there is an end to the bread, she gets it. If there is a hard chore to be done, she has to do it. If we are playing a game, she usually goes last. But she never has complained. Never has she been selfish. If there is someone that displays the fruits of the spirit it is River. Like love, joy, peace, patience, self control etc. etc. She has it. I think back to when River had a prophecy over her on her baby dedication day from an elderly man in the church. Her prophecy must have lasted 5 minutes but the only part I remember was that she would grow up to be a help to us. This has been so true. She has been such a very huge help to us over the years. I love her so much and I guess I just wanted to give a little credit where credit is due. River I could not have dreamed up a more perfect oldest child. Thank you so very much for all of your love, kindness, help and laughs. I love you. Mom:)