LOCAL

A very special graduation gift

Will Jones StarNews Correspondent

To graduate can be defined as completing your education at school or a university. It can also mean moving up to something more advanced or important.

Linda Page wrote about an event in which all witnesses shared such a special role.

"(Recently), something beautiful happened to close friends of mine. My friend Debbie had been fighting cancer for over five years. She had exhausted every avenue of treatment, but that insidious disease had taken control. Since she was a Christian, she was positive about her future after life and hoped that her experience would bring others closer to God. Her one regret was knowing that she wouldn't live to see her daughter Courtney graduate from UNCW.

"Courtney's friend had an idea. She went to the dean of the department and told him about Courtney's mother. The dean was moved and went into action. A few mornings later the dean, assistant dean and two other professors went to Hospice and performed an "early graduation" for Courtney at Debbie's bedside. Debbie passed away very peacefully that afternoon.

"Debbie's family and friends were touched and so appreciative of this act of kindness by these UNCW dignitaries."

The giving spirit

This catches up with a note from Meg sent in the 2018 holiday season.

"I surprised my grandson, Myles, (near Christmastime) at his bus stop on Highgreen Drive, but I was the one who was surprised when I witnessed Ms. Julie, his wonderful and caring bus driver, giving all the little ones a Merry Christmas sack filled with special goodies from her.

"I had happy tears! Thanks Ms. Julie."

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