Graduate (verb) to receive a degree or diploma on completing a course of study (dictionary.com)
Life is full of graduations although we don't always receive diplomas for the achievements. Getting potty trained, tying shoes, riding a bike, catching a fast ball, reading, writing, math, learning to drive, growing a plant from a seed...all these things are completions and stepping stones that lead to a healthy independence later in life.
Just because we don't always receive a piece of paper signifying the importance of these things doesn't mean they're not to be celebrated. Singing, dancing and a graduation cap made of paper can evoke enough pride in a parent to reduce one to a blubbering mess!
Today my graduate's diploma was covered with abc's and 123's and smiley faces and stars. The ceremony consisted of several dozen four and five year old boys and girls singing about moving on to kindergarten. This is my third child entering kindergarten and you would think that by now I'd be used to it.
As hard as I tried not to, the tears escaped the clutches of my watery eyes. My husband smiled at me, took my hand and although not crying himself, I knew he was feeling the same emotions I was. Our little girl, so small but mighty, was taking one more step away from us. Sad? No. Happy? No. Simply amazed at the beauty of life as it unfolds one graduation at a time.
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ReplyDeleteJudi,
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome and beautiful.
Dad
This grandmother shed tears while reading your beautiful "Graduation Day."
ReplyDeleteLove, Mom
Wish I was that good w/words!! Congrats to the graduate!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so true- there are so many of those little graduations every day- for children and for parents too. Some days I feel like my kids are helping me to grow up too :). Thanks for the beautiful words, Judi! It helps to remember that these days are magical in the midst of the exhaustion.
ReplyDeleteHeather :)