My first baby was closing the door on one stage of her life and entering a new one.
Did I do enough? Was she prepared?
It's much easier to think of all the ways I might have failed her. I'd rather take the blame if things don't go as smoothly as she'd like. However, in the end I have to accept that she has her agency to choose her path in life.
I hope and pray she finds a path that will be fulfilling and joyful for her.
Many may never know how difficult it was for my daughter to walk across that stage. She hates crowds. She hates attention. She struggles with OCD and anxiety and this was a disaster waiting to happen.
She had to dig deep to find the strength to survive her own graduation. I hope one day she will understand the lesson we were trying to teach her as parents by making her attend the ceremonies.
Life isn't always easy. It's often scary. Sometimes the fear can paralyze us, but if we get up and try, we really can accomplish anything we set our minds to. The trick is in trying every day and never giving in to those things that make us want to hide.
Kiah, I'm proud of you!
After graduation we went out for lunch, then out to a beautiful spot in a nearby town. This memorial chapel is one of our favorite spots and Kiah agreed to take some senior picture with George. Yes, she named her viola. :)
Aw congrats on your daughter making it through High School! I sometimes think kids deserve more than a diploma for surviving, a medal maybe.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your daughter! She did it. And wow, were you high up in the rafters.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alex, and yes we were way up there. Made it hard to get good photos.
DeleteCongratulations to your daughter!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your daughter. Rather than say, "Life isn't always easy" I just skip to the chase and declare, "I think life is hard." That being said, having you as a parent probably paves the way to a successful occupational path.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard! Thanks for your kind words. Sometimes I'm afraid my easy going "find your own way" attitude hurts my kids sometimes. They are all pretty independent, but when I don't push them to try harder they can give up at worst and fall short of their potential at best. Who knew parenting was such a balancing act??
DeleteCongrats to your daughter. It's a privilege denied to many, finishing high school. I hope she finds her passion and joy in her future.
ReplyDeleteMe too Liz! Thanks!
DeleteCongrats! My second is graduating in June. He's going away to college, a first in the family. I'm going to miss him and I pray that I did enough to prepare him for what's to come, but in the end it's up to him to make those choices. I'm not ready to let go!!! lol
ReplyDeleteIt's so true. They have to make the decision to embrace what will make them happy. I feel lucky to keep my daughter for another year before she goes on a mission for our church. Good luck letting him leave. ;)
DeleteCharity--Good luck to your daughter. As a side note--I almost got married in that chapel.
ReplyDelete:) Next time you're up here, let me know!
DeleteFunny--each of the graduates in Anika's class did get a medal. It just says the name of the high school, but it looked nice in pictures! Were your gown renters as uptight as ours were? We had to get pictures before rather than after graduation, because they were waiting outside the doors to strip them off our kids the minute they were through.
ReplyDeleteLuckily (or not?) we had to pay for the caps and gowns so she kept it. Since she was so against graduation I told her to think of it this way--now she has a Hogwarts robe. All I have to do is order a house patch for it. LOL.
DeleteThey did have another high school coming in right behind us though. Our crowd was pushed out one side of the arena so the next group could come in the other side. There were graduates in black robes and red robes all mixed up outside. Made getting out of the parking lot a NIGHTMARE!