I have always said I have 3 great kids, inspite of me! How someone like me can come up with 3 wonderful adult children is beyond me. Yet, there they are. Cindy, Chuck and Betsy….all determined, self-reliant, extremely capable human beings who take joy in life and helping others. Who understand the world and what it takes to survive in it. Who are compassionate, kind and generous.
I know what you are thinking. “Kay is a typical Mom, her kids can do no wrong”. Not so, I always said “never say your kids would never do something wrong, because as soon as the words leave your mouth…..they do!” In reality, I am sure my kids did plenty, they were just smart enough to not let me know about it.
Now they are adults, parents themselves….but I’ll brag about my grandchildren another time. Today is the time to brag about my 1st child, Cindy Campbell Reynolds.
About 2 weeks ago Cindy called and asked if I could go to a luncheon with her on August 28th. I asked her if it was something special and her answer was, “Oh, it’s no big deal, I have a table at the luncheon, thought you might like to go”. Now Cindy has served on many boards, worked for many organizations, organized many charity functions, so I figured this was one of those luncheons. I accepted her invitation, and today was the event.
Being borderline elderly and clumsy, I did a great job of breaking a little toe earlier this week, so I emailed Cindy early this morning asking if I would embarrass her if I wore sandals, as I still can’t wear a regular shoe. She assured me it would be fine. I had asked Cindy who was sponsoring this lunch and she told me it was an awards program sponsored by the Kansas City Business Journal and the Kauffman Foundation.
Ding! A bell went off. I got on the Journals webpage and searched “Cindy Reynolds”. Thank God I did! My daughter was being honored as one of the top 25 Business Women in the greater Kansas City area!

I arrived at the Sheraton Hotel in Overland Park to find the large ballroom packed with over 50 tables seating 10 each. 2 giant video screens were set up, one on each side of the stage. There were large photographs of the recipients of the award out in the lobby! This was a major deal!
I looked up and there was my beautiful daughter and her family. There were friends there that she had known since grade school! Her brother read about it in the Journal and he came!
Each of the women were featured in a video about their career, their goals, their philosophy. Then they were brought up on stage, one at a time, given a beautiful award, and photographed awhile some quotes from each were read.
Yes, my kid, that bouncy, non-stop ball of fire who was an early over-achiever by walking at the age of 6 months and 1 week, has now been recognized as a truly fine woman. I could not be more proud. Congratulations, Cindy!