This past weekend was my college graduation. My dad, my mom, and my mom’s boyfriend came up on Saturday to celebrate with me and attend commencement. To be truthful, I was mostly indifferent and unemotional about the ceremony itself, but I wasn’t going to miss my first opportunity to wear a cap and gown!
I’ll be honest – commencement was painful. Literally. It lasted two and a half hours (most of which was name-calling) and the chairs were not too great. I couldn’t find my parents in the stands, so I spent a lot of time people watching. In the midst of other antsy students, I noticed many expressing extreme emotions of either sadness or elation. By the time my name was called to walk the stage, the only feeling I had was the growling in my stomach.
During the recession, I noticed the audience had thinned out so I looked up into the stands again hoping to spot my family. There he was – my dad – sitting in a pocket of otherwise empty seats. I waved at him and he waved back and I lost it.
I was overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude for my parents and I couldn’t hold it in.
I was still crying when I met them both outside. These two people have done so much for me, and in the years since I left high school I’ve become more and more aware of the sacrifices they make without a second thought. They are so much of the reason I work as hard as I do, but I know I will never be able to fully repay them for their support and caring. I also know I couldn’t have walked that stage on Saturday without them.
Thank you Mom and Dad! I love you!
Jam of the day: The Beatles “Penny Lane”
That’s so sweet! Congratulations Susan!
I didn’t walk in my graduation. Sometimes I regret it.
Such a sweet post! I’m sure they are super proud of you pineapple
You are so cute!
<3
you’re so sweet, susan! congratulations on not only graduating, but overcoming all that you have with such grace and beauty!
This is SO perfectly said
Congratulations you wonderful being. Your parents have raised such an amazing daughter and citizen. I’m sure they’re so proud!
I def. teared up reading this post! Oh my, I’m so happy for you! Don’t you love moments of realizion/gratitude like that?! <3
Congratulations, my dear friend. As someone with similarly wonderful parents, I can understand your intense emotions during the ceremony. By the way, you completely resemble your mother! What a beautiful time.
Congrats, Susan! I haven’t had my ceremony yet, so I’m not sure how I’ll feel! The Boy’s rents will be there though
And I agree with Erin, I bet your parents are SO SO proud of the daugher they have raised.
Love you in blue as well!
HUGS,
gc
[...] Graduation aside, I don’t tend to view my parents in overarching terms, but rather in a series of memorable moments and stories. To me, those instances more accurately sum up a relationship than any one word every could. [...]