Graduation Thoughts

Today I attended Ethan's graduation from kindergarten. His batch of 10 kids were all dressed to the nines for the occasion. The very simple moving up exercise was made highly special because of the very intimate but meaningful presentation. Each graduate had a short audio-visual presentation done by their teachers highlighting the year that was for each of them. The "speech" was given by Teacher Tere, the owner/directress of the school. The gist of her message was "parents should always be there for their kids because it is their rightful obligation and duty." Okay, so I was like "been there, done that" but at the same time I was teary-eyed.

Around me were young couples and some single parents in the threshold of something new. Their eldest or only child is ready to step into first grade this coming school year. Big step for their kids.Bigger step for the parents. More than ever, the parents would have to deal with "letting" go of their children. Their children will no longer be pre-schoolers. The kids will have longer school hours, more demanding school work, more responsibilities, more trials and of course, the inevitable disappointments and frustrations. The parents should ready themselves to the changes they need to adapt to be able to cope with their kids' growing needs and independence.

I was with daughters # 1,3 and 4. As I look at them, I thought "how quick time flies." Was it really 22 years ago that daughter # 1 had her kindergarten graduation? Here we are now, attending her son's kindergarten graduation. Have I come full-circle yet? Maybe. Maybe not. There were other grandparents present too but I do not feel affinity with them. They were just there as doting grandparents. I was there as Ethan's primary care giver, grandmom, comforter, tutor and driver. I bet they were not as proud of their grand kids as I was of Ethan.

So there I was, teary-eyed, thinking "Gosh! I've a long way to go!"

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