Today was Grand Guest Day at The Bridge of Georgia. Our cafeteria was filled with some of the most important people in the lives of our families. Some were grandparents. Some were simply Grand people who love our families well. We are grateful to these folks who partner with families and with us to give each child the support system they need to succeed in whatever purpose God has for their life.
We celebrate you!
Because you are the ones that hold our parents together with your own sometimes cracked and weary hands...
the ones that relentlessly check in, celebrate every victory, and push us, and comfort...
the ones that show up. On their porch, in their corner, or on a random Thursday morning when it’s hard to just get out of bed. You are the people who let our parents rail against injustice and cry because of a 3-hour IEP meeting where nobody won.
You are the ones who coach from the sidelines. For every “You can do it; I know you can,” and for every single “You were made for this, " we are thankful.
You are the ones who respond in the middle of the night, early in the morning, and when we don’t even realize we need help.
You are the ones who stand guard...
the ones who don’t break promises.
The ones who tell our kids with your words and your actions, “I believe in you!"
You are the ones who have seen both our children and their parents at their worst and at their best and have watched them rebuild broken hearts, bridges, and dreams. You are the ones who helped hold the nails and handed them the hammer.
You are the ones who are in the ring with them...
the ones that will bet on them every single time.
And when their lip is bloody from the fight, you are the ones that take the next punch for your families who need you more than you can even imagine.
You are the ones who tell our kids that their heart whispers aren’t big enough, aren’t even wild enough, and aren’t scary enough and you take them by the hand and lead the way to fulfill their dreams even when it is hard and scary for the both of you.
You are the ones who anchor Mom and Dad and hear their restless heart stir when hope begins to spring up.
You see them. The weary parents. The child with so much potential.
You are healers and cheerleaders and handholders and warriors.
You are both fierce and prayerful.
You are the ones who listen to the hopes in our parents’ hearts and tuck them away to share them back to them on the days they just can’t put one foot in front of the other.
You believe in our kids whole-heartedly, not allowing meltdowns or challenges or bad days get in the way of your steadfast belief in them.
You remind us who we are. You remind us whose we are.
You personify unconditional love and those who become wrapped up warmly in that love are different because of it. Sometimes, if they are lucky, they find themselves beginning to see themselves through your eyes. Mom and Dad begin to believe they can be exactly what their child needs. They come to see that they are enough. And our young people come to believe that maybe, just maybe they can, instead of can’t. They believe they are brave enough to try hard things and that they are worthy of love and acceptance and friendship.
Research shows us that the most successful adults were children who had adults outside their parents who believe in them. We promise to partner with you to give these children you love the adults they need to believe in them, to help them, and to show them the way.
Many of you will be named among both parents’ and students’ best friends. You are amazing and all our lives are both richer and sweeter because of you.
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