I am now officially the mother of a high school graduate. It is hard to describe that feeling of watching your son walk across the stage to accept their diploma. A chapter in his life has closed and a new one begins.
The past few days I have been doing a lot of reminiscing in my mind. I can still clearly remember the day we brought him home from the hospital. My husband and I couldn’t get enough of him.
We took hundreds of pictures and videos. Try to explain to your third child why there are so few of them and so many of the firstborn.
Then I was thinking about when he was two years old and what a huge fan of “Barney” he was. We even got front row seats to one of his “concerts.” I also remember the day he stopped watching it, which led me to do the happy dance.
I remember his tantrums, his goofy smile, how he used to call my husband’s sunglasses “la la’s,” and the energy that bounded out of him. Then I was thinking about the years I homeschooled him, from kindergarten through 4th grade.
In his last two years of being homeschooled we spent a lot of time learning about history, particularly the wars. We even put together a unit study on the military. I was constantly taking him to events that involved aviation or the armed forces.
I also remember his first day of school…5th grade. Just as a mom might cry for her child’s first day of kindergarten, I have to tell you that I sobbed when I left him. Yes, he was in 5th grade and I cried my eyes out.
Then I remember the middle school years when his attitude got fun…you probably can’t detect the sarcasm in that statement. He had some difficult experiences but was ready to spread his wings when it was time to enter high school.
When our children hit the high school years, it flies by. I mean, it is like one minute they are freshman and the next, they are adults…ready to take on the world.
I feel so grateful to be his mother, to have experienced the awesome privilege of raising him. High school graduation comes with some sadness but it also comes with great pride and excitement for what the future holds.
Enjoy them while you have them! And if you are the parent of a high school graduate, congratulations!
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Planning a Graduation Party – Part 2
Photo Above: My Son