It's Tori's Time...

I don't like to write about my kids's personal struggle through the divorce because it's their story to tell if and when they choose to discuss their feelings during that time.  However, the good things that came out of it I love to tell.  Particularly, this one...Tori, my oldest, will be graduating on Wednesday night this week with her GED!  I am so proud of her!  It has been quite the journey up to this point.  She was 14 when the separation/divorce started and was leaving Private School which she had attended all of her life and going into Public High School.  Well, I guess I don't need to tell anyone with a teenager how difficult that transition from Middle School to High School can be alone, much less after being in Private for so many years.  


When the separation came, Tori was hurt but in true 'Tori Form' she was a trooper.  She found the strength she needed to persevere and she did.  She's always been the "life of the party".  When she walks into a room, people notice because she is so full of life and never meets a stranger.  I remember during this time our home was shifting emotionally & physically, Tori was being bombarded on all sides.  You know, some people can be so cruel.  Don't ever think that just because someone says they are "Christian" and attend Church that automatically makes them a "Christian".  Not So!  I remember, the struggles she had transitioning into high school and dealing with the divorce of her parents.  She would get approached at church by some questioning her about our personal lives and asking who was at fault?  Which one left first?  Will they get back together?  What's going on?  I mean the questions some adults ask kids in a personal time is quite astounding!  There was no regard to her well-being, just nosey people, asking nosey questions.  So when it was time to start High School, she thought this might be a reprieve from some who were a little too close to the situation.  What none of us expected was the onslaught she would get from school. 


 Tori started High School like every other student did, however, our situation was  a little different than the average divorce.  Because of the success of her Dad and My ministry, we didn't realize the media would be so involved in our family struggle.  They pounced her at school.  Reporters showed up and tried to get interviews with her before and after school and then a couple of her teachers chimed in on how they felt about what was going on in her home life.  It was a Nightmare!  I went to the school and had a meeting with all of her teachers and most were understanding but there was a couple that just had it in for her because of her Dad and myself.  It was unfair that they would treat our child with such animosity that she didn't deserve.


After watching the struggle she had with trying to fit in and concentrate on her studies and do her work. We had no other choice but to withdraw her and try to enroll her in a private christian school where there would be more understanding...or so we thought.  Her Dad and I took her for a tour of the BEST School in Orlando and had hopes that there she would be protected and could pursue her education like a regular student.  WRONG, they refused her because of all the publicity and controversy surrounding her family at the time.  She wasn't "right" for the school.  I was so frustrated and discouraged and hurt for her.  We decided to allow her to go to a local Community College and take the GED course and get her education.  Long story short and 3 tests later at the age of 21...My girl is Graduating!  She has been such a trooper and for so long I kicked myself over the price she had to pay for the struggles her Dad and I were going through.  But, I do feel that this process made her Stronger, a Fighter, a Woman of Purpose!  I love her and I am so Proud of her accomplishment through all of her struggles.  She desires to go on to college after this and see what might interest her.  I fully support her in this endeavor. 


I just had to share this with whoever is following my blogs.  You may be or know someone who has given up on their education for whatever reasons.  And they are all valid reasons.  Whatever the case, keep going, keep working towards achieving your goals...in the end, it will bring you an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and well-being!  Don't let time steal your destiny.  Don't let age stand in the way of getting what belongs to you!  It's never too late!