Sending Our Kids Off to College

August 20, 2015 By Kelle

I’ve talked to several parents, some in our own family, who are sending their kids off to college next week. In fact as I type this, I have a cousin crying in Michigan, saying her last goodbyes to her baby before Empty Nest officially begins. Of course it means opportunity, celebration and the beginning of a whole new world of independence–one we plan for and work toward from the moment we buckle babies in car seats on the ride home from the hospital. But the Kleenex! We still need the Kleenex!

There are some students packing their suitcases and plotting their dorm layout right now that I want you know about today. I want you to know about them because you helped get them here.

In March, we asked you to help us raise money for 21 scholarships for Ruby’s Rainbow, and a great big wave of love and support followed. Ruby’s Rainbow sent out 32 scholarships this year and is continuing to grow and expand their vision as more people see what can happen when you believe in a dream and work hard.

I told you I’d keep you updated, so here we are.

We’re sending these kids off to college–it takes a village, after all. Many of these students’ parents were told they’d never be able to read. But these parents believed in their kids, believed in opportunity. And these kids worked hard, showed up and held on to the truth that their dreams were just as valid as those of their friends.

They are.
…and we’re proving it.

I picked Nella up from preschool today, her first project this year–a collage of her and her daddy–tucked in her bag. I know she needed a little extra help making it and it took her longer to finish, but she did it with help from someone who believes in her.

And then I came home and finished sifting through the recipient videos Liz sent me, and I thought..this is it.

Thank you for believing. Look what you did!

If you’re not cleaning out your wallet to pay tuition or decorate a dorm or set up a meal plan for your own child this year, you can take this opportunity to support Ruby’s Rainbow–maybe the cost of a mini fridge ($40) or a comforter set ($50) or a stack of new notebooks ($15).

Let’s make more goodbye hugs, put more U-Hauls on the road, pack more suitcases, fill more lecture halls, fulfill more dreams.

I’ve watched this 12 times…cry every time.

Thank you, thank you.

Now hit the road, kids! The world awaits you. It needs you.

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