Graduation and Goodbyes

I never thought this week would come, but alas it is here. I am already packing boxes, selling textbooks back and preparing last minute graduation details.

With family on the way for this weekend's graduation ceremony and goodbyes with fellow classmates, professors and faculty, I am feeling a little nostalgic about all those that have influenced my life and made it possible to be where I am.

My first thank-you goes to Dane. You've been my rock through the last year and a half. You have encouraged me, strengthened me and lifted me when I was physically and emotionally tired. You always know just what to say or do to put a smile on my face and make me feel important. Most of all, you take care of me the way I need and love. I couldn't be happier. I love you. x.

Mom and Dad. You have given me one of the greatest gifts anyone could give: an education. You pushed me and had high hopes for who I could become and never judged me when I wanted to try something new or different. As a teenager I may not have vocalized how much you mean to me, but that is probably because I didn't know it until now. Thank you for bringing me up right.

My siblings. Steve, Todd, Tim, Heather, Lindsay, David, Rebecca and Scotty.  Thank you for being patient with me as I matured. My memories of our childhoods, Christmas holidays, vacations, family home evenings and dinners always bring a smile to my face. I grew up on laughter, tears and hand me down clothes, but most of all love. Thank you for being my best friends, advocates and advisors.

To those along the way. Thank you for your examples, your advice, your lifestyles and your perspectives. It has been a privilege to rub shoulders with you. I have learned some of life's greatest lessons with you, because of you and for you.

Next week Dane and I will be packing up the moving truck and heading south. We have loved our first year of marriage together in Idaho. This is where it all began for us. We hope to find joy in the next phase of our life as Dane begins chiropractic school and I look for a job. We are blessed and it's because of all of you. Goodbye Rexburg.

Breast Cancer awareness

I made this for my multimedia journalism class:

Ryan Skidmore lost his mother to breast cancer at age 14. Since that time, his life has taken some unexpected turns and he struggled to understand why God took his mother away. After years of inactivity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ryan missed the opportunity to serve a mission and experience the joy that comes from living the gospel.  Now, 27 years old, Ryan is engaged to married in the temple to his sweetheart Alex and has come back into full activity within the Church. His testimony of families and the gospel has grown and he has come to understand that this experience has made him who he is today – stronger and better.  Even though the loss of his mother is still close to his heart, he does all he can to talk about her and promote breast cancer awareness through the life he lives each day.

While filming this short video on Ryan and his experience with losing his mother through breast cancer, I was able to find out that his aunt died shortly after his mother from the same diagnosis.  His grandma is also a victim of breast cancer.  Ryan is a collector of Air Jordan shoes. Perhaps his favorite shoes are those that he bought for the breast cancer foundation. They are pink and symbolize his love for his mother and other family members that were victims of breast cancer.  Each year, Ryan participates in a run for cancer and donates to causes whenever possible.

Please donate to the National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc. today : You could save a life.

https://nbcf.stayclassy.org/checkout/donation?eid=15489