Originally posted on Facebook on Monday, December 3, 2018.

Connie Griffin was my high school counselor and is one of the 5 most influential people in my life. She sought out every possible opportunity I could take advantage of; extracurricular activities, essay contests, summer camps, college scholarships -the list is virtually inexhaustible.

Aside from that, she gave me something of such tremendous value it only comes second to my faith in Christ. She implemented a student service organization called Natural Helpers that served as counselor's assistants. We were a network of students trained to support and encourage other students. Through that, she taught me how to listen; to suspend my judgement (or at least try) and hear what another is saying. I cannot tell you the positive impact those lessons have had on my life -lessons I'm trying to pass on now to my children.

What's more amazing is that she did not just do that for me. I watched her do that for scores of other students that walked the halls of Bailey Magnet. Today is her birthday, a day that she should be honored with gifts but I wanted her to know what a gift her life has been. God has used you to do so much good and to help people you will never meet or that hasn't even been born yet. You often say how proud of us you are but I'm sure I'm not alone in saying how wonderfully blessed we were to have you in our lives and how proud we are of you. Happy Birthday!