My
youngest child, Chris Rightmyer, graduated this weekend from Berea College (Berea, Kentucky) with a
Bachelor of Arts in History. There are no words to describe how proud I am of
her and all her accomplishment.
This child selflessly gave up an entire year of
school in order to care for me during a life-threatening illness. Last year I
was flown to the University of Kentucky hospital with septic pneumonia. I was
on a ventilator and in a medially induced coma. I don’t remember anything for
the first three weeks of the 117 days of my hospitalization, but I know Chris
was with me. I had lots of visitors, especially those first weeks, but Chris
stayed with me almost every day. She watched over me and encouraged during my
physical therapy.
After I was released from the hospital, Chris was
home with me. She cooked my meals, cleaned my clothes, helped me walk and
exercise, was my constant companion until I was able to care for myself again. I
would not have recovered like I did if it were not for Chris. A child should
not have to care for a parent, especially at such a young age, but she did this
without complaint. Now she is about to realize her dream and I am ecstatic with
pride.
Congratulation Chris Rightmyer, Berea Class of 2015,
Bachelor of Arts in History!
