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Posted by Christi (71.46.65.42) on 11:26:30 12/13/12
I gave Kyle his photo album today...it included your photos, some of mine, several shots of the Lamar Valley sign (thanks to Dan and Cindy Hartman for helping with that...it's nice to have friend you can call and ask "hey, can you go into the park and take a picture of the Lamar Valley sign?" lol ), and a few written words about the Lamar Valley and the origin of the name. I also left some pages blank with the not too subtle hint that they were for him to fill with photos of his travels past and future (he loves to take pictures).
His first reaction was silence as he looked through the book. He turned back to the big Lamar Valley sign several times, and just looked. Then he went back again, saying "awesome" over and over. The third time through he started asking questions, with growing excitement. He then jumped to his feet, came around the desk, and gave me a big hug (that was awesome....this is a 14 year old boy, after all!).
In as many of his words as I can remember...."I've never known anything named Lamar before, and I thought it was really dumb. I hated it. Now I know that it's really special (but I'm glad my parents didn't give me that politicians name...it's too long), and I'm going to try to make my parents take me there to see for myself. And please, please, please, thank your friends for helping. They must be really special. I can't wait to go there and take my own pictures. Thank you, thank you!"
I'd like to add my thanks for helping me work this out...I think it made a real impression. And the real kicker was....he had made a photo card of himself to give to me as a holiday gift, signing it Kyle. He took it back...and added Lamar to the front of his signature!
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