Graduation Week

Poppy's here! And what that means is that it is time to get this show on the road... Project Graduation has arrived.

My sister and my sister in law, along with my beautiful niece and wonderful nephews, will be here in less than 24 hours. I am so excited I can hardly stand it - a house full of family! In the seventeen years I have lived away from the west coast, I have never had this many family members in my home at one time - so this is a really, really big deal! And to say I'm excited doesn't even come close to describing the anticipation I feel. I am literally giddy with delight as I await their arrival.

My mom has been here for the past week. Spending time with her has been a dream come true. She is my rock and my salvation. She knows me like no other, and without her constant presence and never-ending compassion, I fear I would have fallen apart as I watched my baby girl take her final steps of childhood as she prepares for her long awaited independence. It's been hard - I'm fighting letting go, and I'm finding it difficult to graciously accept the fact that my little girl is all grown up. Being with my mom has helped me come to terms with a transition that is inevitable.

We have attended awards assemblies, banquets and pinning ceremonies - lots of pomp and circumstance because high school graduation is one of the few things in life that is a universal momentous occasion. And because it's so momentous, we've tried to do our part in keeping with the spirit of the moment... lots of sitting... lots of clapping... lots of pictures... and lots of going with the flow. We've also done quite a bit of giggling, because after all, giggling is what makes the sitting and the waiting and the going with the flow fun!

For an entire week, my mom and I have gabbed, we've shopped, we've lunched, we've reminisced, and we've commiserated. I don't think I could have done it without her, because to be completely honest - my senior is NOT being 100% cooperative. But then... she's a senior, and as I am now well aware, it's all about her and everything else is secondary because she's graduating, and in her world, that is all that matters!

Okay. So that's that: this week, it's all about Alyssa!

And so in spite of the All About Me thing we are faced with, I have to admit I am very proud of my daughter. Her teachers love her. Her classmates admire her. And this past week as we've seen her presented with awards and certificates and all sorts of special attention, it has become clear to me that she has grown to be a very well-rounded and ambitious young lady. It's a good thing there have been all these ceremonies and such, because without them, I might have missed seeing exactly who my daughter has become. She's a delight! Who knew? Certainly not me! But her teachers knew. Her friends knew. The special ed kids she works with knew. And so did the leaders of our community. But somewhere along the way, I missed it. I was so busy worrying about raising her right and teaching her how to be responsible and compassionate, I didn't see that she was doing exactly what I hoped she would do. Now I know... she's grown up just fine. I must have done something right. Whew. What a relief. I may actually be able to let go... just a little... because it's time - and even though I'm fighting it, she's well prepared to go forth into this great big world without me. Because as much as I hate to admit it - there it is... my work is done - it's time for me to step back and let her follow her dreams and find her way.

And so here's to Alyssa - my graduate. I love you and I am proud of you. Congratulations my beautiful and most precious daughter. May your life be filled with happiness and success. May you find love and joy in everything you choose to do. I wish you a journey filled with delight and adventure. And most of all, I wish for you to find your passion and live your dream, for when you do that, your life will be filled with riches beyond measure.

Comments

[Donna]

How wonderful! Congratulations to Alyssa and to you! I told you you were doing OK! Now just write it all up, put it in a nice binder and send it to me - I still have 6-7 years to go! I need a good manual!

Seriously, Alyssa is a beautiful, talented, intelligent, caring young woman. You have done a wonderful, wonderful job. Be proud of you both - you both deserve it.

[Steph #1 Buckeye Fan]

CONGRATULATIONS ALYSSA! :)

Kelly, all the years spent teaching, disciplining, worrying about and loving your daughter has paid off. She is very lucky to have you for her mom, as you are to have her as your daughter. Enjoy Alyssa's special week! :)

Hugs,

Steph :)

[Andrea]

congratulations on graduation!! I envy your relationship with your daughter and I can only hope that I will have something similar with my own daughters. I hope you have a wonderful celebration!

[Heather]

Sounds like you've done your job well! I can only imagine what it must feel like to have your firstborn graduate. WAAHHH! So proud of her accomplishmnets!

So, gotta ask . . . what's a pinning ceremony? Pretty darned sure we don't do them here (or at least didn't when I graduated!).

Hope you enjoy this family time. . .

[janet o]

And can you come raise MY daughter to be a person like that? Cause I'm not getting the job done well, I think.
When are we gonna talk, anyway? :) I lost my cell phone and with it, your number :(

[slammie]

Congratulations, Alyssa!!!!

[Christine Campbell]

OH, Kelly, I'm so happy for you!! Have fun with your family!!
HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Alyssa!!!

[Kim]

We went throught his several weeks ago. What an emotional roller coaster. Like you, I had family and friend friends here to "ride it" with me. I learned a lot about Elizabeth that week. It was a blast. Now I've had some time to "regroup". Next week is parent preview week at the University so I will probably be a basket case all over again! Congratulations Alyssa! You did it!

[Amy Sorensen]

You are blessed to have such a great relationship with your mom. I am SOOOO happy for you to have your family there with you---I think I know what it means to you. ENJOY this time!!! And Alyssa is beautiful!!!