Being proud of my granddaughter is important to me and to her.
The last year has been a painful year for many. Lots of people have been affected, but there is one group that has not received the fullness that would have been nice to have.
Last year’s high school senior graduates missed so many things. This year does not seem to hold a whole lot better on several fronts. BUT we can do better! And will!
My granddaughter, Mariah is one of those graduating seniors this year. They have had a heck of a year. Remote learning, social distancing, masks, and more.
A few months ago, I was invited to join a group in our community to “Adopt A Senior.”
“Please consider adopting a senior! Send them a card, letter, gift card, basket, etc. You can either mail it or drop it off at their doorstep.”
I thought it was a great idea and recommended it to a few folks in my granddaughter’s community. It did not take off, but that does not change my mind about doing something for my granddaughter.
I love Mariah. I love to watch her chase after the things that are important to her. I love seeing her, though admittedly, it has been less than in the last year. ?
When she turned 16, she wanted a job and went to work at McDonald’s to put together money for her first car. She did what she often did. Set her mind to do something and did it.
She loves cars. A few years ago, I wrote about taking her to a car show we go to annually in Lake George. (I will never forget the first time I took her with us, never telling her about the car show. As vintage cars zoomed by suddenly, her head was out the window, and she was shouting “I love old cars and the smell of gasoline”! ?) We are scheduled to go again this year.
She saved and sacrificed to get her first car. Unfortunately, it did not turn out to be the car she thought it would be, and began saving for another. She just purchased that car, registering it and insuring and now driving it and loving it! (I am so proud of her!)
Over the years, I have watched her learn to cook and she has become exceptionally good at it. Hardly a visit goes by that I do not see her putting together a great-looking lunch or making dinner. Over the last few years, she has bought her own cutlery, cooking utensils, and ingredients. (She even has a bartending set because that is something she really wants to try when she is older.)
Lately, a lot of her conversations have juggled between chasing a culinary future or jumping into the world of cars. (A recent quote about detailing vehicles… “That has to be so satisfying!”)
Over the years she has been involved in sports, keying in on softball. As she completes her final year of high school, she is currently finishing her varsity season. (Pigtails and all.) Last year, no area paper covered their winning season. Despite not living there, I authored my own article. If we want young people to change the world, we need to let them know how much we care for them.
Mariah is getting ready to graduate, after a year of lots of craziness. And as her grandfather, I want to do something special for here. Like the “Adopt A Senior” I shared with you earlier. So…
The Positive News For You group has always been a benevolent group. We can do it this time. If you are interested in participating here are a couple of opportunities.
You may…
- Donate to PN4UINC, our non-profit organization and just put “high school” in the memo section. We will pass on a check directly to Mariah for her next steps.
- Send cards, gift cards, etc., to our mailing address at 50 Woodburn Street #25, Keene, NH O3431.
- Feel free to reach out if you have other thoughts.
As Mariah’s grandfather, I love her and am super proud of her and her accomplishments. I always will be. I often tell her that. She is a world changer in so many ways. I suspect that will never change.
Thanks for taking the time here!
