"Kendia Cooper…" Kendia walked up to the platform to the sound of applause as her name was called to receive another award. All together her name was called for five awards. Although she was happy to receive the awards Kendia's heart was heavy. As she walked up to the platform her mind went to the one person she wanted to be there… her dad. Kendia's dad had died six months earlier after a short illness. Her parents had not hidden the fact that her dad was dying from her. In fact they had both tried to prepare her for the time when he would no longer be there.

Although she had known that her father's death was inevitable Kendia had held on to the secret hope that he would be there for her graduation. When her pray went unanswered Kendia was devastated. However, she continued to do well in school because she knew how important it was to him. He had always been her biggest fan.
The graduation ceremony was a total blur to Kendia. She went through the ceremony listening with only half-an ear. She was excited and happy to be leaving high school but the much -anticipated event was bittersweet.

"Why did you have to die dad?" she thought to herself. "Why aren't you here to see me graduate from high school? It seems as if everyone has their dad here except me."
Kendia knew that instead of feeling so sad about her father she should be grateful that she still had her mother… and she was. Her mother had been her rock as she tried to deal with the death of her father. She knew that her mother was cheering for her and was proud of her but she still missed that gruff voice she knew would have embarrassed her by shouting, "That's my baby! Way to go Princess!"

After they reached home from the ceremony, Kendia gave her mother a hug and headed straight for her room. She didn't want her mother to know how sad she felt. When she reached into her room she saw a gift box and an envelope with her name on it resting on her pillow. "Wait a minute," she thought to herself. "This looks like my dad's handwriting, but that's impossible!" She eagerly tore open the envelope. It was from her dad! She didn't even stop to think how he could have written her, as her eyes quickly scanned the letter and then read it again slowly.

He started the letter "Dear Princess." She smiled because he had always called her his princess. In the letter he told her how sorry he was that he wouldn't be there on her big day but that he knew she would do well and he was proud of her. He also explained to her that he wanted to give her a special gift and he'd picked it out himself and asked her mother to give her on her graduation night.When Kendia opened the box, inside was a beautiful golden locket, with a diamond in the center, suspended on a gold chain. She carefully opened the locket, inside was a photo of her with her dad.

She started crying softly and heard her mom quietly enter the room. She wrapped her arms around Kendia and said softly, "Your dad loved you Sweetie. He would have given anything to be here tonight. He was so proud of you and so am I."
Kendia hugged her mother and whispered softly, "I love you Mommy and I'm so glad you're here."
Kendia went to sleep that night with tears on her cheeks but a feeling of joy in her heart to know that even in the midst of his illness her dad had thought about her. "I'll see you in heaven someday Daddy," she whispered as she drifted off to sleep.

Two young ladies, both of whom will be missing a beloved parent at graduation this year, inspired this story. Ladies, you know who you are and I just wanted you to know I'm thinking about you. God bless you, we're all proud of you.