Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Onward!


She graduates in two more days. In three days after that, she leaves for her summer job as a counselor at a sleepaway camp by a lake. After that, it's home for a couple of weeks, and then off to college.

Last night was the Recognition Ceremony for her scholar program, which was a moving thing. The seniors, every last one of them headed to college, were pinned and celebrated, and in the same ceremony, the new class of scholars, freshly minted ninth-graders, were welcomed into the fold. It was such a poignant visual reminder of how far our children had come, because as we cheered the new class, we remembered when our own children were that gawky and striving, and now they were all so polished and assured.

My own daughter was a shy, reserved child when she entered the program. We, her family, knew her inner nature, we knew she was quirky and quick witted and optimistic, but it wasn't until she became a part of the scholar program that she began to push past her instinct to hide her light. Encouraged by her counselors and her peers, she began to take hold of the things she had been dreaming about, no longer afraid to stumble or be imperfect. She became a trier. And a doer. She began to understand the whole world as hers.

She mused last night she wants to do senior year all over again, that it has been a very good year. I told her she is a lucky one, it's a gift to be able to feel that way about any year of high school. But life sweeps us along to the next stage. And that, too, will be full of excitement and discoveries. May the good breeze always swirl around her. May that light she has never dim. And when times get a little challenging, this is Planet Earth, after all, I pray that as she rolls up her sleeves she will look for the absurd in her circumstances, and laugh a little. Or a lot.


18 comments:

  1. And I swear to you- if all else fails, that girl-woman can be a model. I know looks aren't everything but is simply gorgeous.
    You've done real good, Mama. You've given her wings. Such a cliche, but in this case, a true one.

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    1. Dear Mary, this child is truly in flight. Thank you!

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  2. Feeling like that at this point, I'm sure she will get so much out of the college years. Makes me wonder what I would/could have done if I'd felt that way. Yay her! and you!!

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    1. Kristin, send a good thought. So much ahead! xo

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  3. Oh, Angella -- what a beautiful, beautiful child. Congratulations to all of you!

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    1. Elizabeth, she is beautiful down to her core. She is. Thank you.

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  4. Yes, what everyone else said. You done good, she's got so many more great things in store. It went fast, didn't it, mama?

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    1. Mel, i know you know fast, being the mama of a graduate yourself! Congrats to you all!

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  5. Such a radiant, self-possessed young woman, lovely to see!

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  6. My office mate's daughter graduated this morning. She IMd me early around six to tell me she had a balloon as big as the earth in her car. She is pretending to be perfectly fine but she hasn't been perfectly fine in months. Her daughter, like yours, is beautiful and talented.
    xo

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    1. Rebecca, i am pretending to be perfectly fine...

      you found me out. xo

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  7. And it all happens so quickly. Counsellor in a 'sleepaway' camp? A real sign of the times!

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    1. Cro, if by that you mean the girl has flown the coop, well yes.

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  8. When my son was born, people told me (Ms. Moon was probably one of them) that it "all goes so fast" and to enjoy it because "the next thing you know they are all grown up." Truth be told, that hasn't been my experience at ALL......until high school hit. Enjoy every moment and congratulations!

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    1. Ongrrrl, yes exactly! It didn't go fast until they got to high school and then it was a blink! maybe it's because so much of their lives began to happen away from us, so we didn't see how quickly everything was unfolding. in any case, it is the way of it. thanks for the good wish.

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  9. So beautiful..your dear daughter has always had a special spark.
    It really has flown by so quickly and now they venture out and spread their wings.
    XOXO

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    1. Susan, i love when you comment! Nice to see you here! Hugs, dear friend. You and your beautiful daughter have been there with is every step of the way! xo

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