We had a slight delay due to a pop up rain storm on an otherwise glorious evening. Grace took her walk across the stage and accepted her diploma with all the rights and privileges award unto a graduate. She graduate with honors and her and I stapled her patched onto her National Honor society stole. Her NHS recognition for hours of service and academic achievements. Under her stole was a "Mr. T." starter kit of fabric cords of all colors. The girl has made the most of high school and somehow found time to be involved in almost every activity from Chess club, cheese club, Passion for Paws, Spanish Honors Society, Scrapbooking club....the list literally seemed to grow every day on top of an already busy schedule of work, sports, and jam band. We have her home for a few more months before she leaves for college in the fall, but her busy schedule has helped us transition into a version of empty nesting.
"No man is an island" and much like her time in school, this ceremony too was a reminder of how far and wide her support has always been. Her entourage for this ceremony with us, grandparents, and Ella was scatter across all areas of the packed stadium. Amy had her covered on the field with high fives on the way to and from the stage, Ron and Jan had her from the field level seats, while Bob and Nancy, Ella and I hollered her name and whistled for her from the top rows of bleachers. An apt metaphor for the support she has always had and helped her reach all the heights she has. To that Grace amassed so many strong and varied friendships. The ceremony allowed the students considerable time to wander around the field before taking their seats, and with great pride I was able to watch her bounce from pod to pod, gaggle to gaggle, group to group, circle to circle, of various friends spread across the field; smiling for pictures and congratulating each other. She has grown into such a fine young woman and I know her future is bright as the evenings sunset was beautiful.
