Happy 50th Sue!

I am a very lucky person.
Why?
1. I have a sister that I can count on for advice any time about anything
2. A sister I consider salt of the earth and a wonderful example of living a Christian life (Walking & living the talk)
3. A sister who sets a wonderful example of putting Real Priorities first in her life (relationships)
4. A sister who treasures friendships and is loyal to each one
5. A sister who understands the importance of being an Aunt and has repeatedly sent our girls post cards and letters once a month since they were born
6. A sister who is responsible and reliable
7. A sister who sets a great example to her other 4 siblings about living a life without focusing on material things
8. A sister who makes a teachers salary, yet donates & tithes over 25% of her earnings
9. A sister who considers the glass half full 100% of the time
10. A sister who knows who she is and thankful for how blessed she has been the past 50 years
11. A sister who believes in principles and stands up for them
12. A sister who I consider my role model and best friend.

I love you more than words can say...
Your biggest fan!
Matt

There was a story I recently read on the internet that reminded me of Sue as a teacher. The story took place years ago, but I couldn't help but think of Sue and the impact she has made on hundreds of young children. Please read this story and know that many of us would substitute in Sue's name for this math teacher in the story.
Thank you Sue for bringing a smile to my face each time we talk.

Too Busy for a Friend......

One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name.Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of theirclassmates and write it down.It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers.That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual.On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. "Really?" she heard whispered. "I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!" and, "I didn't know others liked me so much." were most of the comments.No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on.Several years later, one of the students was killed in Viet Nam and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student. She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before He looked so handsome, so mature.The church was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin
As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pallbearer came up to her. "Were you Mark's math teacher?" he asked. She nodded: "yes." Then he said: "Mark talked about you a lot."After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates went together to a luncheon. Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher."We want to show you something," his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket. "They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it."Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him."Thank you so much for doing that," Mark's mother said. "As you can see, Mark treasured it ."All of Mark's former classmates started to gather around. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, "I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home."Chuck's wife said, "Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album.""I have mine too," Marilyn said "It's in my diary."Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group "I carry this with me at all times," Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: "I think we all saved our lists."That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again.

Sue, this story reminds me of you and the impact you have made on your students, your friends and your family. Thank you Mom & Dad for bringing this incredible person into our lives and thank you God for allowing us to have Sue sprinkle "gold dust" on us each time we are together.