This past Thursday, June 4th, Brittany Kinard graduated from Gull Lake Schools! Tucker felt the occasion warranted a tie and some shoes (given to him by Brittany)! The tie is nearly as long as he is, but...it was cute.
It was amazing to be there and to be a part of this event in her life and in her family's life. Fifteen years (I met the Kinards when she was three) went by REALLY fast! It seems like yesterday I was pushing her on the swing, singing silly songs, and playing make believe. Now, she's a great sister to her brother and sister, making plans to get her nursing degree, and an active member of the youth activities/group at her church.
She has grown up to be a young woman that any parent would be proud of at her age. I can see her love for Jesus through the compassion she has for others. I'm confident that someday, she'll be a great nurse, a lovely wife, and a fabulous mom because she's already practiced being a good sister, a reliable daughter, and a trusted friend. She has some maturity that others her age don't have, and she has practiced personal integrity and resolve in situations that lead many down the wrong path. I'm excited to see what doors the Lord will open up for her and inside her.
I won't forget watching her walk onto Miller Auditorium's stage when the announcer said her name, and scrambling to get the camera on since it only had about 6 minutes left in battery life. Todd got a great video of her accepting her diploma. We have to put that on here, so keep watching. Rhoda and I chatted throughout the program, and Shelby and Rhoda took turns holding Tucker. Rhoda jokingly said that she feels like he's something like a grandson to her...if Tucker calls Shelby, Austin and Brittany "Aunts and Uncles", does that make Rhoda and Kevin grandparents?? LOL. I told her she doesn't have to be called Grandma quite yet!!
This is such a picture to me of the family of God...what DO we call each other? Some of our words don't quite fit...are they friends? Well, it seems like more than that...are they family? Well...not biologically. Do you have someone in your life like that? They are just an authentic blessing, but you don't have a name for the place/position they hold in your life. We've cared for each other through some stuff - I remember moments that I was really thankful to be in their home, and that I felt accepted for who I was at that moment. Nobody's got it all together, especially in their early 20's. Wait...do we ever get it all together? Hmm...probably not. Thank God for His grace! Anyway, their home was a safe place for me, and I'm glad I didn't go to Cambodia as originally planned after graduation. I'm thankful I "ended up" staying in Kalamazoo to make a life here.
Congratulations, Brittany! I'm proud of you and enjoy who you are and who you're becoming! I love you guys. Enjoy the photos.
Jennifer, Todd and Tucker
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