Today was a very special day. It was Mikayla's Kindergarten Graduation day. Wow, was it great. It was bittersweet, since March 16, 2007 I have been saying "Mikayla will graduate from Kindergarten and Cancer at the same time" so to really see this day come was such a great feeling.
Mikayla wrote her graduation story and read it to the crowd. Here is her story...
"I am sad to leave Holloway House. I will miss all my friends. My favorite thing to do was running time and math. This year I learned to read. I got good at keychains too. The books I like best are about Biscuit, the dog. I will go to Emerson school in Marion for 1st Grade. When I grow up I want to be a cheerleader. My job will be doing daycare. I will miss you Holloway House."
When it came time to graduate, Mrs. Varn read a little bit about each kid and chose a verse for them. I want to share what she said about Mikayla (through tears, hers and mine!) "Mikayla Marie VanWey - To look at this angelic face and sweet smile you may not realize what a warrior lives within. Mikayla knows more about spinal taps, leukemia and finger pokes than probably any one here. Even though she had to miss some school, she has become a nice little reader and handles math like a pro. She came to school, worked hard and achieved much. She is a very social little girl and a good friend to others. She and her family have perservered this challenge and touched many others along the way." Hebrews 12:1,2 "...Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus..."
Oh, what a precious gift we were given with the two years Mikayla went to Holloway House (and the boys too!). Remember my fears of Mikayla reading at the beginning of the school year? Well today she received her certificate stating she read 63 books this year at school and home. While she still is not the strongest reader, she continues to work hard and we are so proud of her!
All the kids sang and recited verses and the ceremony was just amazing. Mikayla's friend Tera was even sobbing at the end. The kids will miss each other as they each go to different schools and the will miss their teachers Mrs. Varn and Miss Rhonda.
Our little girl will start 1st Grade in the fall and we couldn't be prouder of her. I love the words Mrs. Varn used "warrior". She is a strong little girl and a hard worker. I can't believe my baby is done with Kindergarten, the time goes too fast and after the tears I shed today, I can't imagine High School graduation! But they are tears of joy, proud tears and tears of rememberance of where we came from.
Mikayla is officially on summer break, the boys have two more weeks of school. The summer will be so much fun and go too fast I am sure.
I do have a couple of prayer requests.
First, Mikayla has been exposed to Chicken Pox. While tests show she is immune to them, the chance is still there. With the incubation time we were given she could come down with these around the time of her last treatment. So, please pray she is immune and that neither her or the boys will get them.
Second, Cameron Weddles (cp: cameronweddle) is in the hospital with stomach pains. The doctors think it is a virus but nothing is changing. Please pray for the Weddles and the doctors as they try to figure out what is going on with Cameron. It is always scary when they can't tell you why your child is screaming in pain!
And don't forget to keep all the kids in your prayers. Cancer isn't quitting and we must find a cure!
Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!
Christie
