"Mom... why is she so pretty?"

Meet the ever fabulous, most beautiful and amazingly talented Lexi Crum...

She is graduation from High School.

Somehow I scored the opportunity to know Lexi first when she was 13 and I was her Young Women's leader for a few short months. It was just after her dad died and I was so sad... but somehow the girl who's monumental mourning exceeded mine was the same girl that lifted my sad heart. She proved to be every bit the person that her father would have dreamed her to be...and then some. Lexi's understanding of the plan of salvation shown through her smiling face and dedicated testimony. I thank her for strengthening mine through an incredibly tender moment.
Lex moved on through the Young Women program and I served for a few years in other callings. We obviously still went to the same church building each Sunday but I was on planet primary so I didn't see her much. I just drooled in passing as I admired her darling style, smashing beauty and always kind and soft spoken "hellos" behind a very sincere smile. Then in January I was gifted another opportunity to be Lexi's teacher in the Young Women program... but as tradition goes, she has taught me lessons I cherish ~ leaving me only hope that I have touched her an inkling in the same way.
I've taken for granted that Lex would be in Young Women each Sunday for forever... gracing us with her knowledge and profound answers and conversation to lessons and welcoming spirit. However...

Last week the Relief Society delivered a Mother's day spectacular... lunch during our last hour of church. At that time they decided to welcome MY Lexi into R.S. with a hideous poem and gifts... and I found myself missing her and proud of her all at the same time. You see, Lexi never really was your typical girl... she skipped over all nonsense and went straight to amazing... making her One of a Kind! (the big kicker was that I had to share my thoughts on Grandma Mecham in that same meeting right after they initiated Lexi... making it incredibly difficult to gather any form at all. NICE!) I realized she is moving on.
Yesterday I received the announcement proclaiming the graduation of Lexi Crum. (I stared... and then my children ripped it out of my hands and they stared until at last McKay asked, "Mom, why is she so pretty?" and to that I can only believe that she has the DNA of the two peeps that were at the front of the line when physical beauty was being handed out... because her sisters and parents all look alike.) I am so excited for her! I remember graduation from high school. It was a bundle of mixed emotions. It meant I had a future to create starting now... causing anxious and exciting feelings! Though I absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED high school and the many friends I have from it, I have to say that the next years of Independence, college and everything NEW was unmistakeably priceless. And so I believe the same is ahead for Lex... and I can hardly wait to see the painting upon her canvas of the next few years. Can't wait!!!
So today I express my congratulations (to one Impressive lady who quietly goes about her life doing remarkable things... and who is a heroin of goodness in my book... who is talented, fun, determined, strong, smart and witty...) on a graduation from daily life in high school and onto a beaming future! You have what it takes... every single tool and then some!
This is hardly a list of your true make up...
Lexi lou... I sure love you!
Becky

To love her more, you may see Lexi's most recent post on her beloved mother's blog here.... and then if that isn't enough because I can't imagine that it is... check here, here, here, and here and feel your heart twirl!