L
aura struggled academically and I was concerned about it until her former Early Intervention teacher said, “Don’t worry about it. Stress the importance of good social skills. If Laura learns to get along well with others, people won’t care that she can’t read. On the other hand, if Laura can read but has poor social skills, they won’t care about her at all.” I pondered that advice and realized it had truth in it. I didn’t give up on teaching her learning skills, but my focus was now on social behavior. I gave her as many social experiences as I could. I proudly and lovingly raised her in the same way I raised my other children.With the help of her sister, brothers, friends and teachers, Laura developed her social skills and was well liked. Friends became very important to Laura and they had no idea the impact their small acts of kindness had on her. She grew to be a lovely young lady with a friendly, bubbly personality and a great sense of humor. Her radiant smile made her glow from within.
In high school Laura watched the cheerleaders with admiration and was determined that she would be a cheerleader too. She stood by the sidelines of the games and learned each move the girls made. She cheered right along with them and was soon made an honorary cheerleader.
With tremendous enthusiasm, she cheered at each home football and basketball game and the crowd joined in with her. Many people came to the games just to watch her cheer. She was later honored at an assembly for being the student with the most school spirit and was awarded an official, personalized cheerleading jacket. A local sportswriter wrote an article about how much he was inspired by her courage and determination.
I knew she had great friends and was happy at school, but I wasn’t prepared for the phone call I received during Laura’s senior year.
“Laura has been chosen to be part of the homecoming royalty,” the voice said. “Don’t tell her! We want to wake her in the morning, take her to breakfast and surprise her. The king and queen will be announced at the homecoming assembly next week.”
The auditorium of Pine View High School was packed with students during the homecoming assembly. One by one, each elected member of the royalty was introduced and greeted with thundering applause. As Laura stepped onto the stage, the crowd went wild. When Laura was crowned Homecoming Queen, the audience jumped to their feet in a standing ovation. Tears poured from my eyes. My heart was bursting with joy knowing that genuine caring and acceptance filled the room.
Laura was a beautiful queen who proudly represented her school. As she was presented to the audience at the football game, she waved and smiled sweetly to her fans from the back of a convertible. Once again the crowd rose to their feet. Many of the adults were touched and cheered through tear-filled eyes, but the students were just cheering for their friend. Ben, the homecoming king, called her “The Queen of Queens” and gave her a bouquet of roses. Travis, a long-time friend, came home from college to take her to the dance the next night. She radiated such a spirit that all could feel the happiness in her heart.
I couldn’t believe it. All the fears I once had were replaced with feelings of gratitude. I felt gratitude to God for blessing me through the years with knowledge of how to raise Laura and gratitude for her friends who so willingly included her in their activities.
Adele Tolley Wilson