Graduation Day Musings

Sunday a day of rest, renewal and worship.

We come to You today rejoicing with all those who are graduating or have graduated this week. My little grand-girlie, Aryel graduated Pre-K this week, jumping about singing and dancing to Overcomer by Mandisa. Tonight we see my oldest and first grandson Austin Triplett graduate at the Ocean Center. We are so proud of him and the wonderful man he is becoming, always beautiful in spirit.

Happy Graduation Day, Austin!

A ll-around great guy!

U ltimate grandson

S o entertaining and funny

T houghtful and considerate

I nteresting, handsome and a winner

N o one like him

Austin, our lives were forever changed when you came in to our world. You are a world-changer and have been that long before the phrase, “world-changer” became common.  You were called from the womb with a great calling and many gifts from our Lord, Jesus Christ. There was prophecy given about you preaching and being mighty and powerful and we are very excited to see in what way the Lord will bring that about. We all know that every day our lives are the only Bible that some people will read. Yours is a beautiful one with pages that will be filled with a great story of love and a life well lived. We are proud of you, grandson.

And also an editorial for a friend in memory of his son:

Each year I try to get this editorial in the local paper and fail. But because I read a Facebook post from a mother whose son overdosed and was left in a ditch to die, I once again will try to get these thoughts out to our communities. The key part being this, if you don't have time to read the whole editorial:  "Grads if something tragic has happened, you friend may have overdosed, don’t leave your friend alone; call 911. Please spare one more parent a broken heart. Parents please talk to your children especially with Graduation Day approaching."

You are welcome to share this but please leave my contact info with it:)

Graduation Night,

Tonight a Parent’s Heart May be Broken

“I’m the father of a dead child,” is how the brokenhearted man introduced himself at the local Substance Abuse Task Force meeting.

I am always struck by the pain of the parents that have lost children to the disease of addictions. In this case it was not an addiction problem but kids celebrating their graduation. 

Many of us realize and try to prepare ourselves for the possibility of loss in our families, with recreational pills so prevalent in the younger generation. The statistics show that 8 people die a day in the State of Florida. With the national average being 50 a day, we need to acknowledge we have a problem here, people, and educate our families and ourselves. But common things in your home such as Pam, Nyquil and aerosol whipping cream can also be a source of misuse.

Prayer is a real and valid tool and a powerful force in the war against addictions. We always need to include prayers for families affected by addictions of all kinds. We can’t just ignore the problems in our society and hope they will go away.  One of the best resources I’ve found is Narcotics Overdose Prevention & Education (NOPE) Task Force. They are a group of community leaders and parents working to save lives by engaging young people in efforts to end drug abuse.

 
I met the father who introduced himself that way after the meeting. Although it had been nearly a year since his son died, it was evident he was still grieving.  I didn't want him to leave that meeting thinking that his son's death was in vain. I knew it was hard for him to make the effort to come to the Task Force but I was so glad he came. The only comfort I could give was to say I would pray for him and give him a hug, "I know when your son woke up that morning he didn't think or plan,‘Tonight I will break my father's heart.’”  Although that was what happened it was a horrible accident; kids using pills or drugs, one time too many. Young people are not thinking when they use recreational drugs; they are just doing it to fit in with their friends.

Graduation night is party night for many young adults. There are Pharma Parties, where people are dared to go through their parent’s medicine cabinets, bring in whatever pills they can get their hands on and put them in a big bowl to share. They pass the bowl around and the interaction of several pills that are not supposed to be taken together is a deadly gamble; a Russian Roulette.

I wrote this editorial in memory of Morgan Andrew Denney, that perhaps his death be not in vain, but will help save someone else’s child. I am trying in my own small way to get the word out, "One time may be one time too many."

Grads if something tragic has happened, Your friend may have overdosed, don’t leave your friend alone; call 911. Please spare one more parent a broken heart. Parents please talk to your children especially with Graduation Day approaching.

“Upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen all the day, and all the night, they shall never hold their peace. You that are mindful of the Lord, hold not your peace, (Isaiah 62:6 Douay-Rheims Bible)

 Graduation Day was made for celebration not death.

 Donna Collins Tinsley

Somebody's Mother Online Prayer Support Group

thornrose7@aol.com