Presenting my 2008 DHS graduate!
Exhausted, overwhelmed, emotional and filled with pride. These are only a few of the feelings I've experienced today. I've laughed, I've cried, I've cheered, and I've celebrated. It seems like only yesterday when she was placed in my arms and I said "Alyssa, I love you," for the very first time. Raising this beautiful child has been the greatest journey of my life and I wouldn't trade it for the world. My only regret is that the journey didn't last longer.
At the graduation ceremony today, the staff of DHS presented the final three scholarship awards to the class of 2008. These scholarships were top secret and none of the students or parents knew who the recipients were - the names of the recipients were not even listed on the program... that's how secret the scholarships are. These were the Faculty Scholarships - given based upon leadership, citizenship, community service and academic achievement (and a few other things that I can't remember right now because... well... I'm emotional). Students consider it to be of the utmost honor to receive these scholarships and they are highly regarded. The faculty member who presented the scholarships gave a lovely speech and I was choked up as she talked about the unknown recipients and their individual contributions to the class of 2008. After her introduction and explanation of the scholarship, she shared a bit about each recipient before announcing their name, and as she began to talk about the second recipient, I realized that she was saying some things that I was very familiar with... things that had shaped Alyssa's high school years... things that had consumed my daughter's every waking moment for the past nine months... things that made me wonder if maybe Alyssa was who Ms. Wingfield was talking about. Come to find out, Alyssa was having the same thoughts, but she figured it out much sooner than I did, and she later told me that she was crying tears of joy before her name was ever announced. She told me that the classmates she was sitting in back of turned around and said, "It's you!" She said that the students behind her were poking her back and whispering "Congratulations!" and "Way to go." And she also told me that when Ms. Wingfield announced her name, she was crying so hard she could barely make her way to the stage. Once she finally stopped crying, she began to smile, and she hasn't stopped smiling since. She is so honored to have been chosen for this award. And me... well, there are no words to express the pride I feel.
Here is a picture of Alyssa and the two other recipients of the DHS Faculty Scholarship:
As I said, I'm extremely emotional tonight. I still need to process it all because the event was so much more than I ever imagined. And so I will complete this entry with a pictorial review of the day because I think Alyssa's smile says it much better than words:
John and Alyssa with a very happy mom!
Alyssa with Grammy and Poppy.
Aunt Jenny and Aunt Debbie share our day.
Cousins McKenzie, Hunter and Casey join in the fun.
My heart overflows with love for this child.
Alyssa is at the all-night graduation party tonight. In the morning, we're off to Philadelphia for a few days of sightseeing and fun with the cousins. We plan to swim and shop and check out the Liberty Bell. There will be lots of food involved, too, because I don't cook and I think everyone who is going on the trip is tired of turkey sandwiches and graduation cake. Seriously, I think I've starved them. On Tuesday we will go to Hershey Park before heading for home because by then, these teenagers will be more than ready to collectively experience the unique sense of freedom that can only be found in an amusement park. And the chocolate - they want some of that as well. Alyssa considers herself to be Chief Cousin since she's the graduate and the eldest of the teens, and so in spite of the fact that she is allergic to chocolate, she knows that there are big bins of Twizlers at the Hershey Candy Factory. Therefore, she's given her stamp of approval on this plan. Anything... as long as it's not a turkey sandwich and more graduation cake.
After that, we will wind up Project Graduation as my mom and step-dad head back to the pacific northwest on Wednesday. On Thursday, my sister will be leaving for a visit with her husband's family in D.C. And on Saturday, Debbie and Casey return to Seattle where they will begin packing up their belongings in preparation for their move to Pennsylvania. And after I say my final good-byes and thank yous to the most special people in my life, our grand adventure will be complete... and that is when I plan on taking a week-long nap!
Soon, June 2008 will only be a memory - but the memories we are making at this moment in time will last a lifetime. I am positive that Alyssa will never forget her high school graduation; I know that for the rest of my days, I will feel pride when I remember this day. And when all is said and done, I could not ask for more.
Wow Kelly, that is so fantastic!! I'm so happy for you and your daughter and the journey hasn't ended, it's just begun!
Posted by: kip | July 10, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Oh wow Kelly, that is so awesome. Congrats to Alyssa's amazing mom too! ;)
Hope your trip is wonderful!
XOXOXO
Posted by: Kathleen Summers | June 30, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Oh wow, congratulations to your daughter! What an honour it must've been. I hope you had a GREAT time touring around and eating out (lol) with your family. Bask in the moment, Kelly... these are the crowning glories of our journey through motherhood. :)
Posted by: Barb | June 29, 2008 at 05:25 PM
Congratulations to Alyssa - and to you, Kelly!
Posted by: Katrina | June 27, 2008 at 06:59 AM
Aww Kel, you made me cry.
HUGE CONGRATS ALYSSA!!!!
You all should be very proud!!
Have a great time on vacation!!
Posted by: Christine Campbell | June 26, 2008 at 10:24 PM
great pictures. what a great week, all your family there must have been the icing on the cake.
Posted by: Becky H | June 26, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Kelly, I got goosebumps reading your blog! You must be sooooo proud!! That is a terrific honor. Congratulations to you and to Alyssa.
p.s. you, alyssa and your sisters have the exact same smile! I love it!!
Posted by: Keely | June 26, 2008 at 01:56 PM
Congratulations to Alyssa, and to you, too, Kelly! Woo Hoo!!!
Posted by: Kelly Jo | June 25, 2008 at 03:42 PM
YAY, Alyssa!! Way to go!! Kelly, your post made me cry and cry. I can just feel how proud you are of your baby girl. What a precious, memorable time in your lives.
Love,
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer | June 24, 2008 at 03:45 PM
WOW WOW WOW!!! CONGRATULATIONS ALYSSA! And WTG Mom for raising her.
p.s. your hair looks good longer!!
Posted by: janet o | June 23, 2008 at 01:13 PM
I said it before and I'll gladly, happily, enthusiastically say it again - CONGRATULATIONS!!! to Alyssa and to you Kelly. What a wonderful day! I'm so, so happy you were able to share it with those you love the most and thank you also for sharing with us!
Posted by: Donna | June 23, 2008 at 12:51 AM
Kelly -- so proud of Alyssa. WOW on getting such a special scholarship! Alyssa, YOU GO GIRL!!!! Sounds like you guys have a great few days planned. . . .enjoy all that family time!
Posted by: Heather | June 22, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Awwww CONGRATS!!!! You have every right to be proud!!
Posted by: adrienne | June 22, 2008 at 09:11 PM
Having had 2 of my 3 graduate from both high school and college, I know exactly how you feel!! What a beautiful family. Huge congrats!! You did a terrific job and I'm sure are very proud of her!!
Posted by: Janell | June 22, 2008 at 07:51 PM
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! Have a fun vacation!
Posted by: slammie | June 22, 2008 at 02:59 PM
Oh Kelly!!! A BIG "Yeah Way to go" to Alyssa & you too, Mom!! :-D Congrats!! That is so wonderful. Have fun on your trip.
Posted by: Tiffany | June 22, 2008 at 09:58 AM
Oh Kelly! I'm sitting here with tears of joy for Alyssa and for you. I hardly have the words. God knows you of all people deserve some really good news and something to smile about. Big hugs to you all and a huge BRAVA to Alyssa! Miss ya! xoxoxo
Posted by: Barb | June 21, 2008 at 01:13 PM
Congratulation to Alyssa on her graduation and all the awards. Kelly you obviously have done a wonderful job raising her. Congratulations to you too.
Posted by: becky | June 21, 2008 at 09:05 AM