June 1, 1991

Dear Kristi,

Today you are graduating from high school, and what a special day that is!

I remember the day I graduated (26 years ago!). My parents, Rita, my grandmother, and several of my aunts and uncles braved the heat in the Dallas Convention Center to come sit through a really boring service. At the time, I thought it was much ado about nothing. I still can picture in my mind standing out in the hallway watching all the family bearing down on me and hugging me and such, and remember being especially embarrassed by the attention being lavished on me (although I loved the gifts!) because, after all, how hard was it to graduate from high school? All you had to do was go to school every day and do what the teachers told you to do. Sure, I had to work pretty hard, but so did the other 896 people in my graduating class. What was the big deal?

I had to stop and remember that most of those people standing there with proud looks on their faces hadn't graduated from high school. Some of them had even had to drop out as youngsters to help support the family. And then I remembered some of the kids I'd gone to school with who weren't graduating with us today. It suddenly was clear to me that not every kid my age had the opportunity to walk across the stage and be recognized for hanging in there and doing whatever it took to get that diploma.

That was true in 1965, and unfortunately, that is true today. There are still kids out there who would love to be in your shoes. Kids who have lived through life experiences that we can only imagine. You have had to slay a lot of dragons in your own life, and all of this graduation "hoop-la" is recognition of that. It is recognition of your tenacity, your determination, and your hard work to become someone greater and better than you may have ever dreamed.

And, June-bug, it is only just beginning! There will be lots of kids out there who will have it a lot easier than you, who won't have to study nearly as hard for better grades, who won't have to both work at school and a job, who won't face personal hardships. But take it from someone who's been there, you are embarking on one of the greatest adventures of your life when you become a college girl. And an Aggie, no less - how hard that is for this old Red Raider to swallow!

I want to pass on two "mom-isms" from your grandmother Rae that have been very valuable to me: people you trust and care about will disappoint you, just be sure you don't disappoint yourself; and, if you are willing to work hard and sacrifice, you can do and be anything you want.

Your Uncle Bill and I are very proud of you and know that you will not disappoint yourself or those of us who love you.

Congratulations!!

Love,

Aunt Nancy