Today as I was dusting, I stopped to read Sarah and Jacob's senior speeches from their FFA banquet. They read them to us at their banquets, and then gave them to us on a plaque.
Sarah's from May 2007:
Mom and Dad, Thanks for the crazy moments. You made life interesting. Mom, I suppose it turned out okay that you don't know how to be boring. It provided tolerance. If there's anything to be said about our life, there was never a dull moment. The things learned at the dinner table have been enlightening. I suppose I love you. Dad, it's been a rough road, but we've made it, and we're all still together in spite of ourselves. Sometimes it didn't look so good for us, but I think we got through the worst of it. I love you.
Four years later, we heard from Jacob, May 2011:
Mom and Dad, I want to thank you guys for all that you have done for me. Mom, for all the times you brought me to school at ridiculous hours of the morning. Also, for all the times you were there with one of your stories that just makes everything just a little bit funnier. Dad, thanks for everything you've taught me, whether it be for Ag Mech, or just life. You have been an amazing role model, and I hope that I can become as good a man as you have shown, and taught me to be. I love you both. Thank you,
Jacob Bittner
In answer to a poem I wrote about me, Julie's answer was this:
SHE
She wanted to be
a child someone would love.
Instead she was just her.
She wanted to be a daughter
her mother would love.
Instead she was just her.
She wanted to be a beautiful woman
a man would love.
Instead she was more than any man could ever deserve.
She wanted to be a mother
that her children would love.
Instead they loved her more than life.
She wanted to be a friend
another could cherish.
Instead she went above and beyond for her friends.
She wanted to be a singer
a voice clear and true.
Instead she sings to me.
She wanted to be an artist
beauty she would capture.
Instead she inspired her daughter.
She wanted to be
and so she was.
She was just beautiful, amazing, talented, and best of all she is my mother.
Julia
I love my three kids, and they have enriched my life in many ways. When I read over these writings, I remember t times that they referenced to, and yes, we had some rough patches, and yes, there were times things looked bleak, but we all pulled together, and we made it through. Sometimes people ask the question: If you had it to do over again, would you? If you could do things over, what would you change?
I would do it all over again, but what I would change, if I had the opportunity and the wisdom, would be the way I reacted to some things, and I would certainly be more loving and kind. I would like to say I would be more patient and less sarcastic, but really, saying I would be more loving and kind is really stretching it. To say I would be more patient and less sarcastic is like saying I could change copper to gold. I would just be me, for what's it's worth, and hopefully be me better than I was the first time around.
There are many things I should have taught my children. Missed opportunities that I can't get back. I feel strongly that they know Paul and I love them. They always knew they were loved. Today while reading these things the three of them wrote, I feel loved by them, and I'm thankful for the written reminder of a strong family, and that I am a part of each of them, as they are a part of Paul and I.
