Graduation

Well it's been about 5 weeks after graduation. I should have written before now, when the memories were still fresh. anyway... here goes.

Graduation went well. It was held in the Palace Theatre, and of course as it would be, we were sitting way, way, waaay up in the nose bleed section... almost touching the ceiling! I kept looking up and thinking I am closer to the ceiling than I am to the floor.
It was packed out! I mean packed. The entire theatre was full from top to bottom. Andrea's Dad and Aunt had come in to see her graduate, and they ended up sitting in our row, and behind us.
When we were leaving I kept hoping that someone didn't start shooting, or a fire broke out because many of us would have been doomed. We couldn't hardly move and it was hot in there... many would have been trampled to death! I had my grandson and he kept waving and touching people... he had a good time seeing all of these people in one place.

The ceremony didn't last too long. (thank God) I do not like graduation ceremonies, because there are usually too many speakers and too many names to call out, and they seem to last forever... but we got through it alright. mmm...I may be thinking about college graduations!

I had to go down to the balcony section to take pictures of her as she walked up the stage... wow! finally my youngest was graduating. I've been waiting on this for years, like 18! It was awkward trying to hear them call her name, aim the camera and trying to clap and cheer at the same time, all the while I'm standing in front of some man and trying not to fall over the balcony! but I managed somehow. Afterwards it took around 15 minutes to get from way, way, waaay up in the theatre, down the stairs, and out of the lobby to the outside! the air felt great! we managed to find Andrea and take some pictures of her and her friends under the theater marquee that had SHAKER in red letters! YES! this was it... my daughter and youngest have graduated high school! WAHOO!!!

We had a small cake and punch reception at the house afterwards, and her friend Ashley and her mom, brothers, aunt, and cousins came by. Later this summer I plan on having a combination graduation, 18th birthday, and off to college celebration.

Guess what, you know how they just give you the cover to your diploma and you have to pick up the diploma later. Well, you know I ended up picking it up from school just a week or so ago because she hadn't picked it up yet! when I got to the office there were at least 3 boxes of diploma packages that the students hadn't picked up! What?! 18 years or more, some less of school and you haven't picked up your proof of hard work?! I figure that the parents will end up picking them up, sooner or later, because they know that they worked just as hard to get their students through school as the students themselves did! Her diploma is at home now, displayed on the buffet in the dining room. Proof of hard work, sweat, tears, ups, downs, encouragement, disagreements, disappointments, etc. etc., and I am not talking about her, I'm talking about me!