My lovely granddaughter, Holly.
Boarding a flight to Charleston is always full of family
anticipation. This trip is no exception. I check in, hand over my luggage and
head to the gate. I save a seat beside me as I have a traveling companion for
this trip. Within the half hour, a tall young man comes walking my way…smiling.
It is Jonah. How lucky for me to travel with him to Charleston. This trip is a
bit magical as family members fly in one and two at a time for Holly’s
graduation from high school. I was just here a few weeks ago for her role in
“Chicago” and now with her high school closed up inside her yearbook,
graduation is upon us with college looming in August.
Jonah is a great traveling companion. I often forget he is a
college student and quite grown up as I say, “I have money for your snacks.” He
smiles and pulls snacks out of his backpack. I also send notes ahead of time of
checking in…silly, I know. He has flown for years and many times solo so he
knows the drill.
Our seats are not together, but that is okay as I settle
back with my new Abigail Adams book. I look around to see who else is reading
an actual book. I spot one three rows up although I can’t read the title. The
flight is a short two hours, and we are in Myrtle Beach with Abe waiting to
take us to Charleston. We arrive to a house full of people. Is it a madhouse?
Well, a bit…as you all know.
Friday dawns hot and humid, as is often the case in
Charleston. The kids and I play Go Fish on the back porch as the house is full.
Abe makes plates full of waffles, and everyone eats in stages.
This is what I love most about family gatherings. I love
knowing that under one roof my family sleeps and eats and tells stories. It is
all I am about and what I live for. All day there are games and conversations.
I iron Holly’s gown and do odd jobs to help out. By 5:00 we are ready to head
downtown. The graduation is at the coliseum as it is a huge graduating class.
The twins take books to read as it will be a long night. We fill up two full
rows of family wishing her well, cheering her on. When “Pomp and Circumstance”
begins, I lose it I look over at Abe and Kristin…they are holding up pretty
well. I remember when my boys were graduating many years ago, I could barely
hear the first note, and I would just lose it.
We cheer for Holly as she accepts her diploma. My lovely
little granddaughter. How does it happen that these children we love so dearly
grow up? In a blink of an eye, they are graduating, getting ready for college,
driving their own car, hanging out with their friends. I know it is the way it
should be, but I choke up wanting them all to be small and running to my arms
for hugs or games or just love. I still want that. Luckily, I still have the
twins. They sit quietly through the whole ceremony. Faith and I follow each
person on the list. Brianna sits quietly knowing that she will go through this
in two years. She is also a beautiful young lady with her own dreams and
wishes.
Following the ceremony, there is a sea of black gowns in
which to try and find our girl. Finally, there she is…our graduate. I am so
proud. I think of many of my friends going through this as well with their
children and grandchildren. It happens. We know it does, but it never makes it easier.
The party is the next day. We get up early with “All hands-on
deck” as everyone has jobs. The party is here at the house which is now amassed
with balloons and photos and so much food. We wear our best party clothes and
are ready for the first guests at noon. I try to help keep the food trays full
and the toilet paper in great supply!! Holly is happy. All her friends have
come along with lots of adults wishing her well. We sit around and tell stories
til late into the night.
My granddaughter is a graduate. I am a proud Nannie.
The circle goes round…for all of us..
No comments:
Post a Comment