Rounding the bend on Graduation

Can you believe that A graduates on Saturday?

That simple question from my Sweetie this morning made my eyes well up with tears.

I’ve been trying not to think about it. But I guess I better buy some purse packs of Kleenex before then.

I glanced at my husband and saw his eyes glistening with tears too.

Do you want me to pick up some Kleenex for you too?


Mr. A will graduate from high school on Saturday. I have a strange feeling that the entire experience will be a tad bit surreal for me. I know I can’t totally put into words what I’m feeling now. Perhaps I’ll be able to after the fact. But I can share some of the details…

There are 437 graduating seniors. Each student can have up to six guests. Graduation will take place at the county’s Civic Center because the football stadium just won’t hold that many people. Plus A/C is really nice on a June afternoon in Florida.

The school colors are forest green, black, and silver. The students will wear green caps and gowns. EXCEPT the top 10% of the class will wear silver gowns. No, I don’t know whose idea it was originally but it seems to be a school tradition. I’ve seen photos and the gowns look like they are made of silver lamé. First thing that popped into my mind was Drag Queen Graduation.

Yes, Mr. A will wear a silver cap and gown. I’ll be sure to get photos.

Mr. A is first in his class. Mr. A is NOT the Valedictorian because the school district doesn’t recognize Valedictorians. Why no Valedictorians? Because it’s “not fair” to the other 436 students in the class. I’m throwing the bullshit flag on this one.

Since there isn’t a class Valedictorian, then there won’t be a Valedictorian speech. However, there will be student speeches. The class president will speak and two other students will speak. The other two students had to audition for their slots. Yep, audition. Mr. A is one of those students and will speak on Saturday (in his silver lamé gown). I won’t tell you what his speech is about but it does involve the inflating of a beach ball.

(Btw Kiddo, you need to practice your speech.)

After graduation we (PLRH fam + 3 grandparents) will go back to the house for a family dinner. S and I want Mr. A to stay home that night. We both know of high school seniors that were killed by drunk drivers on graduation night. We trust Mr. A but not all the other drivers out that night. Besides that, I think all the grad parties that he’s been invited to are on different nights. It could be that his friends’ parents have the same thought as us. A’s graduation/going away party will be the following weekend anyway.

Hopefully, I won’t need the entire purse pack of Kleenex on Saturday. I don’t want to be a blubbering mess and embarrass my son (too much). I don’t want to be that mom. Plus I want to be able to get some fabulous photos of Mr. A in his silver gown.