Grads and memories

Our youngest graduated from Secondary School and had her final dinner/dance last night. What an exciting time for her and her classmates.

She looked beautiful, if I do say so myself. Before heading to the dinner a number of her friends gathered at our house for pictures between the rain showers. They looked radiant in their dresses and tuxedos—all grown up and ready to conquer the world. Some of the girls and boys went to Kindergarten with her, others have been adopted into her circle of friends over the years.

It's all about community when you look at it. Seeing these fine young men and women brought a flood fond memories from the many years they have been together. Parents simply stood back surveying the scene in the lobby of the hotel where the banquet was held. A happy time but some had tears in their eyes, shaking their heads in disbelief. "Where has the time gone?"

After the grads had settled in to their festivities, a group of us (parents) retreated to a local restaurant to celebrate amongst ourselves. Talk ranged from past to present and on into the future. Some of us even pulled faded pictures from our wallets. It was fun to be together as we all knew that some of us may drift apart without the "glue" of our children binding us.

Each moment we have with our children is precious be it as an infant, toddler, child or teen. Treasure and celebrate those times but remember our job is to step back and let them blossom in their own way.