“Mom, I will never get a “B”, “I’m going to be Valedictorian”, “I want to go to The Ohio State”, “I want to be a Doctor specializing in Sports Medicine”…

I leave the house early that Monday morning to travel to Utah, making sure not to wake my two sleeping beauties because it’s summer break. I text them both when I land, and I receive a text back from Samantha saying, “I love you Mama”…

There is supposed to be a plan right? What is the plan? Why is the plan for Samantha so uncomprehend able? There were no prior signs, there is no known cause? These questions and many more run continuously through my mind. Why my daughter?

#samanthastrong is not just a hashtag without meaning! I tell myself, Samantha knew more at 12 ½ years (I have to include the ½ or Sam will be ticked when she reads this) old than most 30 year olds.

Sitting beside me is a Binder, Samantha made and kept titled “All My Awards”, it holds some of her awards. I want to share some of them with you (up to 4th grade), because she is so proud of her accomplishments and to just give you a taste of #samanthastrong

Before School
WOW!! YOU DID IT! Samantha Magness has learned the color red. Pat Siebert Mar 2009

K
2 – Mr. B’s PE Class – You’re the Best In Your Class for this week! Thanks for the Great Behavior!

1st Grade
You Did It! – Completing the 50 states paper!! Apr 2014
EPES - Honor Roll Award for Earning All A’s for the 2013-2014 School Year June 2014
EPES - School PERFECT ATTENDENCE During the 2013-2014 School Year - June 2014

2nd Grade
Bulldog Award – Best in Your Class for this week

3rd Grade
EPES Quality Work Wall – Mrs. Gatchel Apr 2016
Miranda’s Dream (play) – Part - Miranda
EPES Honor Roll Award for the 3rd Quarter
3rd Grade Final Report Card – All “A”s

4th Grade
Morning Journal – All A’s Honor Roll
You’re a MASTERPIECE, Samantha! – Bulldog Best to Art Class – Mrs. Downey
EPES Certificate of Recognition for Being Responsible – Mrs. Herman Nov 2016
PERSONAL BEST – Social Studies (98.1) A – Highest % for the First Grading Period Nov 2016
PERSONAL BEST – Language Arts (98.77) A – Highest % for the First Grading Period Nov 2016
EPES Honor Roll Award – First Quarter Nov 2016
EPES Honor Roll Award – Second Quarter Jan 2017
EPES PERFECT ATTENDENCE – First Semester Jan 2017
EPES Achievement Award – Social Studies (97.67) A – Highest % for the Second Grading Period Jan 2017
EPES Achievement Award – Math (96.0) A – Highest % for the Second Grading Period Jan 2017
EPES Achievement Award – English/Language Arts (97.90) A – Highest % for the Second Grading Period Jan 2017
PERSONAL BEST – Math (98.68) A - Highest % for the Third Grading Period Mar 2017
Blue Ribbon Achievement Award – Social Studies – March 2017
EPES Honor Roll Award – Third Quarter March 2017
EPES 4th Grade Music Award – Mrs. Carson June 2017
EPES 4th Grade Reading Award for Academic Excellence – June 2017
EPES 4th Grade Science Award for Academic Excellence – June 2017
EPES 4th Grade Math Award for Academic Excellence – June 2017
EPES 4th Grade Social Studies Award for Academic Excellence – June 2017
EPES 4th Grade English-Language Arts Award for Academic Excellence – June 2017
EPES Honor Roll Award – For All “A”s for all of the 2016 – 2017 School Year
EPES Certificate of Completion for Successful Completion of the Fourth Grade
EPES Certificate of ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE for the Accomplishment of Earning all A’s for all of Elementary School

Every day, I have to tell myself to get past blame, recognize the hand of fate that we have been dealt and move on to the future. I get the chills with goose bumps and remember to tell myself that Samantha is so special, why not. She can be the one that shows the world that anything is possible. If we have too, why can’t we start again. I gather all of my strength and get it together, I do whatever it takes to help her figure all of this out. I have absolute faith that she will succeed and over-achieve anything she does, as she always has, is, and continues to do. Why can’t we start again. She’s already a miracle many times over, so let her next chapter begin…my over achiever.

Mama Loves You