Defining Moment

[Deep C]

Tonight was her big night... I wrote a few weeks ago about how proud I was that Mini Deep had been accepted into the National Honor Society... Tonight was the induction ceremony.
Each school has their own criteria. One school up the road here took like 100 students from there 2500 student body... Mini's school is 1800 strong and they only accepted 26... Made me proud indeed but tonight was her night , not mine.
As she lit her symbolic candle I looked at her no longer as my kid. Rather, a remarkable woman. Not just a scholar but a leader and a hard worker... Our city's mayor was a keynote speaker. He told the inductees to thank their parents for making them what they have become...
I thought about that statement. Maybe we gave em a start or planted a seed, yes. However, every kid that took that stage tonight took it the extra mile through their own determination and hard work. No Mr. Mayor... They don't need to thank us. It is us that should be thanking them and God for what they have made of them selves.
I raise my cup of coffee in a toast to Mini Deep... Congrats little lady you earned it...

[Deep C]

The moment itself...

She takes it all in during the swearing in...

She strikes a pose with her Beau... He's also a Scociety Member...

[clt_capt]

Congrats Mini - Quite a special accomplishment.

[dunn6253]

Congrats to Mini Deep, and also her parents for raising her the way you did........

[mapache]

and you Paul

Mike

[FISHSLIK5]

Congrats to her and also to the parents that raised her. Without mom & dad to lay the structured foundation from the get go this may not be possible. I'm the proud dad of one that graduated from LSU on the Chancellor's List and another following in her footsteps at Texas A&M. Congrats again and keep up the good work.

Tight Lines from Texas.

[Deep C]

Again... I can't take the credit here. Goodness knows I love to pat myself on the back once in a while... No, this time I can't. It was all her.
We all have choices in life... Its up to us to choose what path we're going to take. Me? I should have been a doctor. Had the aptitude and general understanding of what makes us tick. Instead, I got lazy, bailed... Went for marine biology and wound up driving boats, pouring plastic and beating on fish. I thought my old man would have been disappointed but instead, "What ever you choose to do is great... Just do it the best you can..." I followed his advice and have done ok for myself.
Mini has made her choice. Not to settle for this or that. To go for it all. While other kids are getting stoned or drunk and living to party, she hunkers down and drives hard atbeing all she can be. I don't have a crystal ball. I don't know what path is in front of her from here forward but, whatever she puts her mind to she will achieve.... Hell of a foundation she's laying...

[Hatterized]

congrats Dadddddy Deeeep....proud momento for a parent....

back in my day....we used the candle to light our cigarettes....

[gottaflylee]

Congrats Mini on getting in the NHS... well done.

Deep she has grown up so fast... see I told ya not to give her those grow pills...

[JFT]

Very nice proud daddy .