Class of 2015

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!

To College or War

TO COLLEGE OR WAR

My daughter is off to college today,
it's almost like going to war.
Trunks are filled, bags are packed,
the house is feeling smaller already.
I think this is a good thing,
even a great thing,
but the thought of my baby being gone
is a bitter pill to swallow.
Posters off the wall, books carefully packed away,
Disney characters stare back at me,
wondering where their owner has gone.
Harrodsburg, Danville and into the heart of Lancaster.
Thistles, Joe Pye Weed, Crepe Myrtle, Ironweed and Goldenrod,
bloom along the way.
A cliff lined with limestone,
blasted away to make room for these asphalt roads.
Paint Lick Elementary School in Cartersville -
Highway 954.
Yellow tobacco waiting to be cut,
and creek beds drying with rocks peeking up their heads on each side.
Cattails sway in the breeze as we follow a truck containing
a Crucifixion cross like a scene from "Mad Max."
Madison County, East 21,
Berea,
my God, we're almost there.
Blondies's Ice Cream Parlor and the Circle K,
and our honeymoon spot - the Holiday Motel.
Berea College approaches,
the time is finally here.
I know it is not a good-bye,
just an, "I'll see you later,"
but why does it feel like forever?

~~August 21, 2010