I thought I would break out a bottle of champagne when the baby of the family graduated high school....instead I feel like grabbing for a box of Kleenex.
.
Our son graduated tonight.....and obviously inherited some remote ancestor's genes....cause I'm 5'4" and the kid towers over me by about a foot.
.
We sent him to an all boy catholic high school....and in the tradition of a good catholic school....a thousand folks suffered through the ceremonies in the gym with no air conditioning (the school prides itself on refusing air con offers from wealthy alumni).....they even reminded us .....that it was only 88 degrees outside (and therefore probably only 188 degrees inside).....last year the temp outside was in the 90's.
.
Whatever....rivulets of sweat cascaded down everyone's face.....and in ultra true catholic tradition...they didn't even rent a couple of industrialized fans......why provide a breeze when you can suffer?
.
Fortunately they also pride themselves on quick ceremonies...which meant a 57 minute ceremony. But perhaps in the tradition of guys....they made it too quick and snappy.....because the boys left their caps and gowns on stage....and most of us never got pictures of them in their graduation garb.
.
Perhaps that's for the good in our case.....my son mentioned his gown had to be ironed... minutes before he was supposed to depart ....so in less than 5 minutes....I was supposed to dewrinkle 100 yards of royal blue silky gown material.....no can do......so I increased the temperature on the iron....looked away for a minute... and left a perfect scorch mark....on the back of his gown!!
.
"Don't worry ...don't worry....no one will see Mom."
.
But I felt miserable....sending my son out into the world with a scorch mark on his back....and knowing there were mothers who probably spent the entire day getting nano wrinkles out of their sons' gowns.
.
I was pleased to realized ...a little while later....that a furnace masquerading as a gym... makes all gowns hang in droopy damp folds.
.
Of course there are graduation parties tonight.....so reluctantly I waved him off and told him to be careful....we will have a family celebration this weekend.....
.
but I had this hurt in my heart when I waved....realizing....this was a preview of how the next stage of my life would be....with him.....
.
waving goodbye.... wishing him luck.....and secretly worrying......
it is probably the ultimate graduation gift....to allow and encourage and foster your child....to find his own way....and his own happiness....while still being supportive and loving.
~~~~
