It isn't often that I write personally on this blog. However, I'd like to take this opportunity to do so.
I want to let you know that on Monday, March 1, I finished my doctoral degree. I tell you this only because a great deal of the credit for my accomplishing this belongs to you and your children.
I moved my family to this community almost seventeen years ago. At that time I had no clue how my heart and our lives would be filled by the families in our school and our towns. We came and were instantly drawn in by open arms, my husband passed away and those arms surrounded us with care and concern. My children celebrated their young lives with your children, and learned from some of the finest people I know, both in and out of school.
It pains me greatly when someone says, "What do you expect? I went to North Greene." I know it is "a joke", but I have gone to North Greene for the past sixteen years. I chose to raise my children at North Greene. I learned so much from North Greene. I have learned much about what honor, trust, and dedication mean to the families here. I have learned that parents love their children even when they might not have all the "things" to give them. They give them love. I have watched these children show a depth of compassion for someone struggling that most people would never understand.
Your kids have some things that no one will ever be able to take from them:
1. drive - there is nothing our kids can't do when they put their minds to it
2. humor - I laugh every single day at something they say or do
3. encouragement - when someone struggles our kids get behind each other and push
4. compassion - they really do understand the trials of other people
5. intelligence - we have very smart kids, just ask me
6. fortitude - so bad things happen, I can rise above it
I promise these are the qualities that made me believe I could do it. Your children are the example that kept me going. I thank you and I thank them. If there is ever any thing I can do...
Dr. Cindy Carlson-Rice
Oh, here are some pictures of your kids!
