Graduation Day

I’ll be taking a day off from everything but the daily radio show tomorrow. My daughter Christina will be graduating from Portland High School along with 230-some fellow PHS students.

The ceremony, at Merrill Auditorium, will no doubt be emotional for my wife Peggy and me. Although we’ve been through it before-two years ago for our oldest son John, it doesn’t get any easier to stop the “waterworks” when your child steps up to take that sheepskin.

Here’s a stock tip: buy KLEENEX.

We’ll be using enough of the tissues to populate a small rain forest tomorrow. Will the dam break happen at the beginning, when the procession marches in to the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance”? (Yes.) Will it occur as the opening remarks about our accomplished students are delivered? (Yes.) Will it happen as our beautiful daughter steps up to receive her diploma? (Most certainly Yes.) And how about when they march out? (Yes, Yes, Yes!)

During the ceremony, I’ll remember changing diapers, holding her hand as she took those first steps-and running alongside that first bike ride. I’ll remember birthdays, vacations and holidays. I’ll recall her swinging in the backyard, swimming at the lake-and marching to receive her First Communion as well. Through it all, I’ll remember how lucky I am to have such an incredible daughter-as is the case for all my kids—and also that this chapter in her life and ours is over.

In the Fall, she’ll be off to college and on her own. Things will never be the same. But I’ll try not to be sad, as our pride in Christina’s accomplishments will erase any melancholy we feel for ourselves and for the passage of time.

Young parents often gripe about their lives, revolving such as they do around their children’s myriad activities. They often say things like, “Well, in only 10 years, they’ll be off and I’ll have my LIFE back!”

I’ve got advice for those parents: CHERISH EVERY MOMENT. Why?

1) Those 10 years will fly by in an instant, and
2) You will long for these times that you are now complaining about.

I have loved it all-and with a 9 year old, I am getting the unbelievable chance to go through it all again-perhaps with a little more wisdom.

Christina, we LOVE you, we are so incredibly PROUD of you—and we CONGRATULATE you on your Graduation from Portland High School!

Well done! And no matter what comes along for you, we will always be here for you-and with you!

Love,

Mom & Dad