Our Graduate...

Graduation day was lovely. I woke up and did my makeup and and hair...put on some clothes and headed to the grocery store for a few last minute items. Brittany stayed home and rested as long as she could...fighting that fever. Back home...things put away we had plenty of time to just relax and finish getting ready. Outside for pictures...in front of my mommy tree (my first Mother's Day. gift in this house). She looks good doesn't she? Her fever was nearly 102.

At the convention hall...we registered and had to wait for about 45 minutes before we met in a room with the parents and graduates (40 kids in all). They gave us our instructions...told us to get our kids dressed in their cap and gown and for us (parents) to leave. So, Dennis went and picked up my mom...and I followed their request...dressed my daughter, gave her a big kiss on the cheek and went out to the lobby to wait. At 4:30, we were able to go in and find our assigned seats. Parents were to sit at the right side of the stage...I was anxious and by this time just ready to get this job done. My tissue in hand which I didn't use, I am happy to say...the doors opened and the music played and that lump in my throat grew so big I thought I would choke...It was nice to watch the kids walk up the isle. I looked at the other moms...none of them looked like I felt so in my head I gave myself a talking to and swallowed the tears that so desperately wanted to flow. After a prayer and a great speech given by a past homeschooling (a handsome young man with a young family). The graduates were sitting beside the stage...opposite of us...when the child's name was called, we were to go up the stairs, cross the stage and meet her in the middle. At the call of her name...we headed up and there she was...my beautiful daughter smiling directly at me. At that moment...I think I released a sob. With hugs and kisses and I love you's we handed her her diploma...and she handed me a beautiful white and scarlet carnation. One more hug from me...we crossed the stage...met for another hug in the back of the room and then went back to our seats...a final prayer and that was it. A beautiful ending to a beautiful homeschooling life. I managed to get through the whole thing without one tear(I have a fear of sobbing in public)...I was so proud of myself...

Back home, Brittany made it to the couch and couldn't move...the Lord gave her exactly the energy she needed to make it through. It was amazing. One little thing that she told me...that I keep thinking about...they took a series of pictures of the graduating class...we'll have them by October...for one, they went outside...Brittany said she looked up at the sky...and as clear as can be...she saw the face of her Pappy(my dad)...looking at her and smiling. She told me it made her feel better...whether it was the fever...or that she was just thinking of him it doesn't matter...maybe God gave her a little gift...but in her mind...it was her Pap...and I think she'll hold on to that forever.

I wish that I was feeling more poetic, in my heart I have so much to say...but...I am so tired today and thankful for plenty of leftovers so that I don't have to do more than warm food up...at least for today.

Thank you so much for your prayers for her...she told me God gave her the strength to get through(I told her she had many praying for her)...she has been ordered to rest for the next two days by the doctor...except for teaching tonight that is exactly where you can find her...

Blessings dear friends,
Joyce Marie