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Between Friends by BobAnn Breland

One of the highlights of a young person’s life is high school graduation and that day for them is finally here. The seniors rejoice, but some moms cry because their babies are so close to becoming adults.

I never could understand the crying thing. I didn’t cry when my four started to school and I certainly didn’t cry when they graduated. I was always happy to see them move on in life and let us do the same.

And moms, you needn’t worry. Those kids are usually still around for a long, long time, especially the guys. You almost have to bribe them to leave home. They know when they have a good thing!

My son did not like school from his first day in the classroom when he was told to sit down and be quiet. All the years he was in school, I had to plead with him to get ready for school and I’d practically throw him on the bus every day. Did I cry when he graduated from high school? No way! I patted myself on the back for getting him that far.

I told him from that day on I would not be responsible for his education and if he wanted it, he would have to do it on his own. Surprise! He’s a college graduate! I didn’t cry when he graduated there either! I shouted for joy!

When my children graduated from high school, which was many years ago, I was never able to sit down and enjoy it. I had to photograph the event for the newspaper. By the time my grandchildren graduated, somebody else did the photography and I got to enjoy it. Two of them graduated the same year. One went to college and earned a master’s degree.

One daughter was reduced to tears just before graduation. I went in to her room and found her just sobbing like her heart would break. I offered my support and asked why she was so upset.

“I don’t know what I am going to do,” she sobbed. Apparently she had not decided what she was going to do with the rest of her life and it was really bothering her.

I calmly assured her that she didn’t have to make a decision right then; that her dad and I were not going to throw her out of the house just because she was graduating. After we got that cleared up, she made it through graduation and later made good decisions about her life and career.

One daughter had to give a graduation speech and had a virus. Somehow she made it through, graduated from college and earned her master’s. I am very proud of all my children and grandchildren with their accomplishments and I know many others feel the same about theirs.

High school graduation is wonderful time of life for our young people. They have worked hard to earn that diploma and deserve all the congratulations they can get. Parents deserve some applause too!

We can’t take lightly the feelings of our children as they cross that invisible line.  It is a big step. The next will be completing training for life in various vocations or college graduation. Moms don’t usually cry at those. In fact, speaking from experience, moms and the dads usually have the biggest smiles you can possibly imagine. They are way past ready to celebrate!

God’s blessings are wished for a happy graduation day and a great life for all our seniors!