Well, it has been 2 weeks since I last posted as I arrived for my son’s college graduation. It has been a whirlwind of 2 weeks, full of excitement, anticipation, activity and emotion. During the next few days, I will attempt to recount some highlights.

My son has been dating his girlfriend for most of the 5 years they have been attending the college together. During that time, I “met” her parents via video chat. On the first day of graduation events, I had the privilege of meeting them in person. We stuck together most of that day as we moved from place to place. They were just wonderful people and I felt very comfortable with them. Of course, we talked a lot. I realized that my son and his girlfriend had grown up with the same basic core values and morals. I am sure that has played a big part in their relationship. By the last celebration, we were like old friends.

My older son and his family arrived to witness the commemoration. While I saw them only 9 months ago, my grandchildren had all grown so much. It took my 1 1/2 year old granddaughter a little while to warm up to me, which was to be expected, but it did make me sad that I am not able to be with them more. During the ceremony, we sat in a place on ground level with a lot of room around us so my granddaughter was able to run around for a while. My son walked right by us as the graduates entered and gave a couple high-fives. The 2 older boys were very patient during the long ceremony and we talked about what they might want to do when they go to college. The following day, the men went to help the new graduates pack up, so my daughter-in-law, kids, and I went to the “Museum of Play” and play we did! After all the celebrations, my new graduate and I spent a couple of days with my older son and family before we headed to our final destination.

Back at home, my brother and sister tag-teamed my parents. My dad and brother spent most of the time at the cabin in the mountains. They enjoyed working on projects and just being together. My sister and mom went to physical therapy appointments, shopped, and also enjoyed being together. Although no one could come to the celebration, they were all able to watch some of the ceremonies via live stream. When my son and I arrived, we had a wonderful party. This was the first time since I moved in with my parents 2 1/2 years ago that I was able to leave for an extended period of time and NOT come back to someone being in the hospital. I was incredibly grateful, relieved, and almost in disbelief.

Family is everything to me and the reason for a heightened emotional ride during these past 2 weeks. There were so many events for the graduation and each led to more reasons to be proud of my college graduate. I was so grateful for the contribution my father made to his education and somewhat sad that he was not able to come to the graduation. I was elated to see my older son and his family, and sad to leave them again. I was worried about what was happening back at home, and incredibly relieved when I returned. Most of all, I love my family with all my heart.

I Found God today in all the ways that family played a part in my son’s college graduation.