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Sidney woke up the next day feeling good. She was finally graduating high school—not that she didn’t love it. She was just glad she didn’t have to endure getting up extra early every morning… Well, maybe some days

“Alright, everybody!” her dad yelled upstairs. “Time to get up and get dressed! We have a graduation to go to!” he said happily.

Sidney picked out one of her beautiful dresses and some black tie-up high-heeled shoes. Her brother, sister, and mother got up and ready for the graduation.

“OK, no time for a sit-down breakfast. Grab something quick so we can head out the door!” yelled Sidney’s mom.

“OK, here I come!” Sidney said, running down the stairs.

“Honey, you look beautiful!”

“Thanks, Mom,” Sidney replied.

Everyone grabbed their coats and headed out the door.

“Yes, we made it on time,” said Sidney’s dad, pumping his fist.

“Alright, see you guys in there,” Sidney said, getting out of the car.

“We’ll be in there!” her dad yelled out the window.

When Sidney made it to the auditorium, she headed to the back of the stage where her class was getting ready.

“Hey, Sidney!” Lisa said, tapping her on the shoulder.

“Hey, girl!” Lisa yelled, giving her a hug. “I am so glad we are outta here!”

“Girl, please! Who you telling?” Sidney laughed.

"OK, everyone, please take your seats and get ready to start this wonderful celebration,” the announcer said. “We will now stand as the students enter the auditorium.”

As all the graduates walked in, parents, grandparents, and friends were snapping pictures of their family members in the graduating class. After everyone had taken their seats, the announcer handed it over to the principal.

“Now I will welcome our wonderful principal, Mrs. Glenda Cherry.”

“Hello, everybody! I just want to say that I am absolutely proud of each and every one of you. You guys have truly been a great inspiration to me as a principal. And don’t get me wrong,” she said, waving her hand, “some of you have been a handful!”

“Love you, Mrs. Cherry!” a boy yelled from the graduating class section.

The crowd laughed.

“I love you too,” she said, sighing. “And I love you all dearly. I’m so glad you are all graduating and that you made it!” she said, raising her fist happily.

After the valedictorian gave her speech, everyone clapped, and they presented the graduates of 2016.

After many names were called, finally Sidney’s came next.

Sidney Jackson, please take the stage!”

Her mother and father yelled and screamed, “You go, Sid!”

“That’s my sister!” her sister shouted, pointing her finger in the air.

After the graduation, everyone went back to Sidney’s house, and her mother warmed up the food for her graduation celebration.

“Hey everybody, I’m her Uncle Lee,” he said, raising his hand. “I just want to say I am extremely proud of Sidney and her accomplishments. I remember when she was younger, I’d come over, and she would say, ‘Uncle Lee, take me to the store!’ in that little baby voice. Those were good times… but now you’re growing up and moving on. About to make some more good times—just don’t make the good times I did!” he said, walking away from the mic. Everyone laughed and clapped.

“Hey, y’all, it’s ya Granny Dalinda! I just want to tell you to keep the Lord your God first. I love you and I’m proud of you. But I want you to have a good time and live life. Gain new experiences. Don’t do nothing crazy… but live! Live like the sun shines in the morning, breathe as the wind blows past you, run as fast as you can. Don’t lose faith; your victory is coming. God sees you, and He knows you, and because He does, you are blessed on this very day. Thank you.

Everyone clapped.

Congratulations!"

“OK, OK,” her cousin said, walking up. “Now, I know everybody been telling you not to do anything crazy… but that’s what going to college is for!” he said as everyone laughed. “Girl, I ain’t drunk, I’m just speaking from the heart. Listen, when you get there… call me later, and I’mma give you all the details. You know—who to talk to, who not to talk to, who to hang with, who not to hang with. But it’s alright, call me—I gotcha. Congratulations, Sidney! Love you, girl.”

After more family members and her two siblings spoke, it was finally her parents’ turn.

“Ok everyone,” her dad said, his voice deep and warm. “I loved every speech and all the love you have shown my girl today. Last but not least, Sidney... you are phenomenal. You are beautiful, and you are an incredible human being. I know that you are going to live a full, healthy life away from us. We have given you the tools to succeed in life and walk in full independence. I am so proud to call you my daughter.” He turned to face her, lifting his glass high. “To Sidney!”

“To Sidney!” everyone repeated in unison, glasses clinking across the backyard.

“Oh, and I know you’re gonna outrun all the girls on that track, too!” John added with a booming laugh. The entire crowd roared in agreement, screaming out compliments and whistling.

“Ok...” her mother said, stepping up to the microphone. “I’m gonna try to breeze through this—” She paused, blinking rapidly to keep from getting too emotional. “I love you, my dear daughter. You are so incredibly special to me. You’re our first girl, and you have set such a beautiful example for your siblings.” Linda took a deep breath, looking at her oldest daughter with pure pride. “You have made me so proud, and I am immensely impressed by you... Love you, baby.” She lifted her glass.

“...And yes. Outrun all those girls!” Linda smiled, raising her glass one last time. Everyone laughed and smacked their hands together, yelling positive comments.

“Ok,” her dad said, wrapping an arm around his wife’s shoulder. “May the Lord bless you and keep you safe.” He smiled warmly down at Sidney. “Now come up here and say a few words for your guests and family.”

Sidney walked to the front, wiping her tears, and hugged both parents. “Well, everyone, thank you so much for coming. I love all this love y’all have shown me. But more importantly, I love you… and I thank God for this day. Now everyone eat, continue to have a good time, and—the dance floor is open!” Sidney said, lifting one hand.

The music started, and they danced and celebrated all night.

Later in her room, her dad knocked. “Hey, sweetie, may I come in?”

“Yeah, sure,” Sidney said, grabbing her remote.

“I can’t believe my daughter is about to go off to college,” he said, sitting on the bed.

Sidney smiled. “I’ll be fine, Dad… you know that, right?”

“Yes, of course,” he said. “Just be careful. And take heed to everything that was said today… you hear me?”

“Yes, sir,” she said with a soft smile.

The next morning, Sidney wrote in her diary:

Dear Diary,

This was the best school year ever. I graduated, and now I get to start my life walking into independence. I’m really nervous, though, because today is the day I move into my own dorm and can stay out all night—yep, as long as ya girl wants! And the best part is, my best friend Lisa will be right there with me. She’s been my bestie since kindergarten :) and I’m so glad we get to experience life together.

Sincerely,

Sidney Jackson! :)

Truly Blessed by God 🙏🏼

After Sidney got dressed, she went downstairs to eat breakfast with her family. When she opened the kitchen door, her mom Linda, her dad John, her sister Shantel, and her brother Du’vonta ran over to greet her.

“Hey, baby,” her momma said happily. “You look so grown up already!” she added, pinching her cheeks.

“Hey, thanks, Mom!” Sidney said with a little laugh.

“Hey, sweetie,” her dad said, putting his arm around her. “You look lovely this morning.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Her sister smiled. “Congratulations, sis.”

Du’vonta put his hand on Sidney’s shoulder. “If the toast tastes a LOT burnt, blame her,” he said, grinning at Shantel.

“Boy, you need to be quiet,” Shantel snapped, getting in his face.

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah.”

“Really?”

“Yep.”

“Well, let me tell you something: a man ain’t gotta do nothin’ a man don’t wanna do, so drop it!”

“Drop it? Naw, I’m gonna drop you if you don’t shut up.”

“Hey! Don’t finish that sentence. Both of you, sit down right now!” Sidney’s mom yelled.

“Yeah, sit down, Shantel.”

“Hey, now, you gotta stop it, Vonte,” his dad said firmly.

“Alright, alright,” Du’vonta said, throwing his hands up. “I quit, I quit.”

“Okay, now let’s say grace,” her mother continued. “Sweetie?” she said, peeking at Sidney.