Dear Eli and Payton,
Even though you are not physically here, I feel as if you were. I put my everything into finishing high school on time and going to college. I graduted from Georgia State with a CRNA degree. Your father and I got married before you were born. I have big dreams for you two. I want for you to take advantage of all the opportunities we provided for you.
Here is my advice: Do not take your education for granted. Do not get anyone pregnant before you are married. Do not let anyone detour you from your dreams or involve you in anything illegal. I grew up in the '90s and early '00s. Even though it was a time of little problems, I still struggled to succeed. I only hope that you take my words to heart.
I love you guys more than I have ever loved anything in my life.
All my love,
Mama
(M. Cannon, 11th Grade)
My favorite memory is from when I was sixteen. This was in late 2010. My friend and I went to the Cedar Grove versus McNair football game, and I met my special "boo" there. We sat and talked the ENTIRE game. When the game was over, we went to the gas station and got some soda. Then my best friend's mom came and got me to take me home. This day will forever be in my mind. 
I remember the mother, the mother of my mother, the one who took care of her and her brother, late night cries, lonely eyes, You baking biscuits. Oh, how I miss it. We had so many good times from '94 to '09. I can't believe that you had to die. Every morning waking up knowing you were there. We should never have taken each other for granted. Instead, we should have cherished the seeds that we planted. We should have cried a lot less and laughed a little more. Take very opportunity, not closing one door. I hate so many words were left unsaid and so many chapters of our Book of Life unread. (M. Cannon, 11th Grade) Image: "In Grandma's Hands" Keith Mallett
