Day with #mom #houseparent #happyramadan #familyfirst #sunday #freedom #selfie #ig_myshot #reallife #values #supportsystem (at Durant, Oklahoma)

#fathersday #familia #familyhappy #houseparent #happyfathersday #happyfamily #familyreunion #summer #texas (at Midcity, Texas)

~Deanna

My husband and I have helped to raise over 80 students here at the Milton Hershey School and we've seen our share of kids come and go, graduate or get kicked out along the way. It's a bittersweet life to live saying hello and goodbye all the time. But it's that time of year again, where the Milton Hershey School senior class graduates from the largest boarding school of its kind in the world. As a houseparent, I get the opportunity to walk down the aisle before the seniors enter the auditorium. In fact, the entire school community is present. When I say that, I am referring to the doctors and nurses, dental staff, meal bus drivers, teachers, psychologists, guidance counselors, teachers, and houseparents, to name a few. See, this is where the kids live, so the adults in their lives, who have helped raise them, are ALL present in some form or fashion. That's what makes Commencement at MHS, so special. How many people can say that their dentist will see them graduate? Or the women who helped them order and be fit for their school clothes, or the man who brings them their milk, bread and eggs daily to the student home. When a Milton Hershey School student graduates from MHS, she graduates from HOME. Plain and simple. Whether the time spent was enjoyable, or strenuous, the student has "grown up" here, and has to finally leave. Ask any MHS Senior, on Sunday, June 10th about leaving the school. They will tell you, with a lump in their throats, that they are leaving something special. They will be speaking the truth. This school is so extremely special, that I often run out of words...I just allow myself to go back to the day that I graduated from here, 21 years ago, June 3. I replay that ceremony over and over again. It is quite an accomplishment attending and graduating from this place. It is one that I remain proud to be a part of because many students are kicked out of this school for one reason or another along the way...and ALL have regrets for leaving. I'm glad that's one regret I don't have to live with. ~Deanna

going home to rest for a few days, then we go on to week 2 of respite coverage.

as long as i continue to keep that before me, i'll be in a much better place in regard to the crap filled behaviors of these boys.