Embrace the surprises of life. When I graduated from high school, I knew I wanted to go to the U.S. Air Force Academy, become an officer in the Air Force and a pilot. So, I thought. Now I spend most waking hours working for peace and an end to all wars.
When I completed my master’s degree in Social Work, I knew I wanted to work as an advocate and organizer for the poor and disenfranchised. Instead, I spent most of my career organizing and leading new health plan organizations.
When I was offered what to me was the job of a lifetime starting a new company in West Virginia, a place of beauty, amid wealth and poverty, sophistication mixed with very rural, backward “hollers”, I had no idea that a few years later, we’d be living in The Bahamas. There is so much we don’t know. Each atom is 99% empty space. Human beings consist of around 7 billion billion billion atoms. So, each of us, just like that rock, that glass of water, our earth and the universe, consists mostly of empty space.
And yet so full of life and the capacity to love. It is that amazing emptiness that convinces me there is a God—that is love. Enjoy the surprises and embrace all that you don’t know and will learn. Love life.
Love, Al & Ruth Mytty
My dear Cole- Congratulations, Cole, on this important milestone in your life! You certainly have overcome much pain and hardship in your young life...but, as they say, the best is yet to come. Believe in yourself, work hard, and thank God everyday for all He has given you. I still thank.God every day for making me, for helping me through the rough times, and for giving me such a loving and lovable family. I feel I have had a blessed life and I've tried to enjoy the moments when I realize how much God gave me. It is a great feeling and also very humbling to realize how lucky I am. It feels like a hug from God Himself. I hope you feel that joy, too. I know you will do exceptionally well in life. I saw how hard you fought to live when you were so young. That determination will get you where you want to go in life. Also, hon, never forget everyone who loves you, including me.... your loving Gramma Klein PS. I wish I could give you a big ole hug right now.😚😙😍
Cole today is a very big day in your life, one that will certainly bring back special memories as time passes and one that is currently surrounded by unique circumstances that impacted your special day. Please know that all of us here in the Thompson household wish we could be there with you on this eventful day and will look forward to celebrating your graduation together soon. We all are so very proud of your academic achievements which do not come easily without sheer hard work and determination. Pat yourself on the back for putting in the time and effort. It doesn’t surprise me one bit that you are as talented as you are, you push yourself to achieve, what a great skill to have, don’t lose that drive! I have been thinking about what I want to say, what words of “wisdom” or “life lessons” I can offer you. Below are some of my pieces of personal “wisdom” that I would like to pass along: Personally, nothing, literally nothing, school, my career, having a family, marriage, you name it, none of these things in my life ever came easy for me. I still must put in the work every-single-day for all these wonderful things in my life that I enjoy and gain pleasure from, we all do! I endured many struggles (still do many days) hardships, setbacks, in many of these facets in my life. However, each time the chips were down, I would always, always, continue to get up the next day, move forward, not backward, and never-ever give up. We all have been blessed at times as well, but, anything I worked hard for and didn’t give up on, paid off with such great rewards, it was so worth all the effort in the end! Be able to move forward no matter what and DON’T GIVE UP! “Success comes only through high ambition, good guidance, strong will, determination and effort.” -Santonu Kumar Dhar. Be patient, be self-disciplined, be strong, be a forward-thinking type of person, looking backwards at times of reflection and when needed, but, then always having a goal to keep you moving towards the future and success! “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it, you’ll land among the stars.” - Les Brown. Be bold, take chances at times, almost all rewards in life have some element of risk involved along with making some mistakes or taking a chance not knowing how things would turn out. The key here is to learn from those mistakes. Also, surround yourself with people who make good decisions while still taking some thoughtful risks. “You are the sum of who you surround yourself with” -Jim Rohn. College is such a special time in your life…enjoy all the little and big moments that come with this next chapter in early adulthood. Always remember to be a life-long learner as well…. learning doesn’t end when school is done, there’s always more you could be exploring. Be curious. I often tell my students the most knowledgeable and successful people I know are extremely curious people who go looking for more information and advice but, then, most importantly, they actually apply it.“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Cole, you have always been such a gentle-natured, funny, and easy-going kid, I love all these things about you! I always admire your big heart, big smile, and your ability to be loyal and kind. Please take these gifts and traits with you moving forward in life and use them to your advantage. Especially kindness, kindness is something that can be missing in today’s big, busy, world and can easily be taken for granted. Please use your kind and gentle soul and demeanor to put others at ease, build lasting relationships, and to generate positivity around you wherever you go and with whomever you are around. “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” – Dalai Lama.
Congrats Cole! We love you! You did it! I will leave you with this: “The best way to predict your future is to create it.”- Abraham Lincoln. Love, Uncle Chris, Aunt Carrie, Carter, Baleigh & Bennett
Cole, Here is wishing you the best on your special day! We wish you many more in your next adventures. Great Uncle Bill and Great Aunt Cheryl
Hi Cole,
This is Jenny from cardiology. Happy graduation day Cole! Nothing is typical about this day having a virtual graduation but the accomplishment is still reason for true celebration. Your journey was even less typical than others because you had significant heart disease. What makes me incredibly proud is how you never used this as a reason to hold back, not try, or slow down. You are a handsome, accomplished young man and I know you will do great things. You have wonderful parents who haven’t let your heart limit your life.