Yellow Out for HLH in honor of Cara Seckman

Last night Bill and I were back at Raider Valley watching Walton High beat Lassiter in the second home game of the season. We had just completed a 12 hour car ride where we brought Rachel and two of her UK friends from Lexington, KY to Marietta for the weekend. As a graduated cheerleader, Rachel had the privilege of being out on the field with the current Walton cheer squad to honor Cara.

Still a heartbreaking reality that Cara is gone from this world, but we know that she is with the Lord and that brings us great comfort. She may have tasted an earthly death, but her life did not end in death - it is hidden IN CHRIST!

Being an empty nester is much harder than I expected. Confession: occasional bouts of sadness will overwhelm me, probably because I know a chapter of my life has come to an abrupt close. Every parent realizes that this change is looming before them on the horizon of life, but when it actually happens . . . well, let's just say experience brings with it a fresh dose of revelation!

Last night's game was an emotional time of highs and lows. New chapters in life are always exciting but a little unnerving, especially for type A first-borns such as myself!

Here are some pics from the game last night. I know Cara had a big smile on her face. ☺☺

Cara McKim Seckman

Today our family and the East Cobb community made its final goodbye to an extraordinary young woman who our youngest child, Rachel, had the privilege of calling friend, confidant, spiritual cohort, cheer partner, and soul sister.

Cara was an intelligent academic who wasn't a snob in that she could put as much bravado in her Friday night cheerleading for the Walton Raiders as she could in her studies and her faith.

Her bible is a work of art, filled with notes and stickers and all kinds of messages that speak from the spiritual place where she now resides. Her old cheer shoes are marked with the reference to Philippians 4:13, a cross over the left toe, and the message on the heels to "don't quit" - do it (in bold). As I held her shoes today and perused her bible, I felt encouraged and "cheered on" by Cara to keep at it and work toward completing all the dreams the Lord has given me. I have so many. "Don't quit - do it!" I can hear her say. I learned a lot today from Cara.

Today I also had the privilege of hearing Cara's friends give us a peek into the secret part of her personality that parents of high school seniors aren't allowed to see unless by happenstance.

Rachel was one of many who shared. She spoke with much emotion, mainly sadness for the loss of her dear friend. Her words were poignant and heart-felt, delivered in a slow,  halting manner between wells of tears. Once she looked right at me, dividing the crowd with her gaze, seeking my help (I had offered to read her speech if needed), but all I felt the Lord would allow me to do is offer prayers for strength. This was something the Lord and Cara wanted Rachel to do. These were her words, her thoughts, and they needed to be delivered by her.

Bill and I are so proud of our daughter. In one brief moment, all fears of her surviving this world on her own without us parents disappeared. She will be just fine!

Good-bye, dear Cara. You tasted death, yet your life has not ended in death, as you are alive forevermore in Christ Jesus. You are a remarkable young lady. All of us wanted you here with us for much, much longer, but you are now completing your mission in your permanent home in the heavenly Jerusalem. All of us who are In Him will be seeing you soon and very soon!

Walton Graduation 2015

Yesterday was a wonderful time of celebrating Rachel's graduation from Walton High. We missed Braxton, but he was there with us in spirit (Btw he tagged his spirit in one of my Facebook pictures lol!). He's living it up in Rome right now so I don't feel too sorry for him!!

Grandparents were here from NC, and the temperature wasn't too hot for them. We had a great dinner at Longhorn, feasting on Flo's filet and yummy bread with whipped butter. Gifts were unwrapped and then there was a mad rush to one party after another interspersed with baseball games cheering on the Raiders to a hopeful state championship!

Congratulations to our Rachel! Now off to the University of Kentucky in August!