Graduation

My oldest child has graduated from high school. I am so proud of her and all she has accomplished, in spite of adversity and setbacks that she encountered. Instead of letting them stop her in her tracks, she learned and grew from those experiences.

My daughter wondered why I didn’t cry when she graduated, because most of her friends’ moms have been weepy for months. I didn’t feel there was much to cry about. Here’s why:

1. Finishing high school is a win for our entire family. I alluded to challenges above. While it is her story to tell, we chose to move our daughter from her first high school and tried online schooling, a charter school, and finally public high school in order to get her to this finish line. There was plenty of second guessing on all of our parts, so our relief was palpable when she walked proudly across that stage.
2. My daughter and I have a great relationship. As she has matured and grown (and is now one month from being a legal adult), our relationship has evolved, as well. I am not mourning her leaving the nest, because I know that our relationship will continue to change, but will always have a solid foundation of love and trust. (Okay, except for that one time I lied to try to get her to fall asleep when she was two.)
3. My kid is ready for whatever life has to throw at her. Again, those challenges were like a refiner’s fire for my baby girl. She is much stronger and wiser than she would have been otherwise, and I am confident that she is ready to conquer the world.

So, no tears for this mama for now. I’m sure the first night she is actually moved out of the house I will probably get a little weepy and miss our nighttime rituals, but I’m happy that I have a happy, well adjusted young adult to spring on the world.

I am so proud of you, Sarah Jane. You are strong, smart, forgiving, compassionate, and amazing human being. Thank you for being such a wonderful child. I look forward to our adult relationship. I love you so very much.