“I hung up, rushed home, threw clothes in a bag, and headed straight for Alabama. It was a two-hour drive away. Through cries and wet tears, I had to push through and continue driving. I just wanted to see my niece. As my son slept in the backseat, I prayed for a miracle.”
‘I was getting food when my sister called, hysterically crying. ‘What’s wrong?’ Then the news came. ‘Mama said she found McKenzie in the bathroom. Get here now!’ I was frozen in shock.’
‘My mother gave birth to me while escaping a civil war. I spent the first 7 years of my life in a refugee camp. Today, I became the FIRST person to graduate college in my family.’
“My parents sacrificed so much for their kids. They moved to the USA with $0. Even if I gave them the whole world, it would never be enough to repay them. I hope to continue making them proud.”
‘I was almost a school shooter. I had 2 locations mapped out. The bullying became unbearable. But 2 things stopped me, and altered the course of my life.’
“Mike took me in that night, letting me sleep in his room against his parents’ wishes, sneaking me leftovers from dinner. He helped me wash my clothes and let me take a shower. I hadn’t shared my feelings with anyone, but someone was watching.”
Parents paint motivational art in 5th grade bathrooms to spread kindness after Florida shooting
“I hope that our parents’ random act of kindness inspires many other schools to do the same. Our kids can always use an extra boost of happiness and joy.”
