His Journey Continues...

I started to make a post telling about all the things I so wish I had done differently for DS 2's Graduation...you know sometimes we focus on the "would've could've, should've". Instead, I've decided to focus on the celebration that really defined Saturday for us. (And really, the celebration has continued as the kids came over for "round 2" of the party last night!)


When he walked down the aisle first with the other three senior officers, my heart swelled with pride. He enjoyed walking with his friend, L and made the most of it as he laughed with her and smiled at those he passed.
As he walked across the stage to take that diploma I knew it represented the close of yet another chapter of his life, but at the same time the start of something new and exciting!

And when he started posing for the camera from his place on the platform, I knew that there will always be a fun-loving child inside the man he is becoming!
When he stood up and gave his speech, I once again melted into tears. I know he is wise beyond his years. He knows they are standing on the brink of opportunity. He believes that it's important to stand up and make a difference in our world and he encouraged his classmates to do the same.

And later in our home when he stood, as DS 1 did two years ago, with every one of his Grandparents and his Great Grandmother for photos, I whispered a prayer of thanks for the blessing of family.
Later in the evening when the endless stream of friends came to our house, I prayed that he would be able to sift through his memory bank someday and look back on this moment as a very special one. One when he realizes just how rich his life truly is.

As I put my head on my pillow at the end of a very long day, I whispered a prayer of thanksgiving for my DS 2. I asked God to continue to bless him and direct his paths. I asked forgiveness and grace for those places when we fall and start thinking about all the things we wished we'd done. I thanked Him for a lovely way to close this chapter and start a new one...with DS 2's family and friends surrounding him. Most of all, I thanked Him for the prvilege of being a Mom to another special young man!

I love you, son!

{Edited to add: DS 2 did not wear flip flops to Graduation. This was long after the more formal attire came off. It was hot, so we let him just put on the "outerwear".}

Monday, Monday!

It's Monday and I am not going to do a weekend window since you've been peeking in my window all weekend anyway!!

I thought I'd do a Monday Memory....

Since Graduation has been on our minds this weekend, I thought I'd tell about my own high school graduation.

I graduated in 1982. I was a member of a class of 648 students (actually, I was #123 of the 648). The day I graduated, I got a name plate necklace. These were really popular at the time. The necklace had my name written in gold script on it. I also got my first pair of diamond earrings from my Dad. We graduated in the Sun Dome at USF...so the place was packed. There were no limits on the number of people who could attend with you. I know in addition to my immediate family, both my Grandparents, and one or two Aunts and Uncles were there.

I don't remember speeches. I don't remember the details of the ceremony. We came back to my house, where more family and friends gathered for an open house celebration at our house. I received many special gifts that prepared me to leave for college in August. More than the gifts, though, was that feeling of love and support that was woven throughout the day.

I know we cannot relive our lives through our children, but it was my prayer all weekend that DS 1 would feel the same at his graduation: supported and loved. I think the mission was accomplished.

Graduation and Grandparents

Graduation was a wonderful event!! My aunt noted yesterday, that many people graduate and don't have all their grandparents there. She's right. Yesterday, DS 1 had all of his grandparents present to celebrate the day with him. They are all with him in the picture above. (The serious picture that they took had eyes closed...so I had to get it with Gram and Grandma C doing their "non-serious photo".) At any rate, I know these pictures will be treasures for a long time to come.

And here is DS 1's GREAT Grandma with him. She really wanted to make the trip from Ohio to be here for and with him. It was very special for all of us to have her here.

Here is a picture of Daniel with his Great Aunt Sandy.

Just before the ceremony, DH leaned over to me and said, "I wonder if Nanny ever thought about this day?" Nanny was his grandmother. We KNOW she dreamed of having great grandchildren. DS 1 was the only great grandchild that she ever met and held. I have a GREAT picture of her holding him when he was only weeks old. So, yes, I am sure she was enjoying the ceremony from a different vantage point along with all the other great grandparents, great aunts and uncles, that have passed on.

Whether they are here or gone, they have left an important legacy that reminds us how special each moment is. Things like Graduation Ceremonies remind us to celebrate the moment while also remembering the past. They also remind us that there is a future. Somehow, family and friends leave fingerprints (or maybe it's lifeprints) in all three places: the past, the present and the future.

I am so thankful that we have the blessing of family and friends to share in these moments with us! We are proud of you, D!!

What's that NOISE???

DSs graduation was interesting last night. It was a celebration for approximately 160 students in the health program at our technical high school. Ds was one of only five kids to make it through the LPN program before he even graduated high school. He had grandparents, friends and family there to root him on. We were certainly proud of him.

I noticed something though...things have changed. I know that times are different and families are different and what's OK when you are in auditorium is different. I am NOT OK with the last change though. People have no (or limited) social graces anymore. People are up and in front of others....babies are screaming (and not being removed soon enough)....kids are humming loudly and not being told to stop. There were a couple of times when I thought I would come unglued! Dh even commented on how it worked me up...and that he didn't have enough life insurance for me to die of a heart attack stressing over OTHER people.

And, if it were just the little ones....I might be able to handle it. It's the adults though. They don't know how to behave. I was absolutely amazed and quite bugged.

Reading my Cousin Lynn's blog, I was reminded that I needed to suspend judgement. It was probably a little too late for I had already judged these people. I had already decided that they were lower SES and that they were there to see people who are probably at the top of their career whereas my son is just beginning his schooling and career path. I generalized that they didn't have class. I decided that they were not "fit parents" and that the one with the screaming child was probably outside smacking her when she got her away from the crowd. I judged. OUCH!

I work with many parents like these each and every day and I know the truth: THEY LOVE THEIR KIDS. And their love is just as strong as my love for my children. We are more alike than different. They don't deserve my judgement. (But then, who does?)

I am not sure how to suspend it in that situation though. I guess that I can set an example and take care of myself and teach my children well (my antsy ds 4 sat there for three hours).

I was proud even with the distractions. I cried. They were tears of pride and joy in the man this one is becoming.

And you know what, I am sure that there were many Moms, Dads, Grandparents and Friends in that room last night who were also proud of the person that they came to see...even if they weren't so quiet and still about it!! ;-)

Graduation #1

Thirteen Things about SUSAN'S DS 1 I decided to use ds 1 since we are attending his first graduation (from LPN training) tonight.He'll graduate high school in May although he is taking all of his courses at the community college right now. 1. DS 1 was born 9 months and 10 days after dh and I were married. 2. He has always been VERY verbal and learned the power of words early. 3. He loves to try new things and is uninhibited by challenges. 4. He has played the piano, the trumpet, and the bass guitar in his eighteen years. 5. He is fun and driven all at once. 6. He surprised me when he said he wanted to enter an LPN program. 7. He has great visions and dreams for his future. 8. He is a thinker who can STILL hold a great conversation. 9. He has worked hard in these past 18 months to finish this program. 10. He plans to go on to finish the RN and really would love to work as a flight nurse. 11. He is a HUGE help when I need him. 12. He has made the transition from being a boy to a young man with relatively few bumps in the road. 13. I am proud of him beyond what I could ever type in 13 lines. Happy Graduation son!! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Red Headed Rants and Rambles 2. The KtKronicles 3. Seeking Thin Spaces 4. Treasure of Jewels 5. V I R T U E

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