Life's Laundry: From The Weekend

As you can imagine, this week is turning out to be very busy for me and I'll have little (if any) time to find myself at this keyboard.

Our trip to south Georgia for the graduation was wonderful. It was good to see friends and parents of these children who were graduating from high school. If I made the time now, I could tell you about emotions and memories. Honestly, I can't afford to go that deep this morning so I'll have to stay near the surface.

This young woman will go far in life. She's learned how to fend for herself and has passed the test of life (so far) with flying colors.

I remember when this girl's mother died. Middle school - a difficult time to navigate in the best of times - but even harder when your mom just decides that she can't do it anymore and takes her own life. This little girl was so precious. She spent many weekends at our house. We'd play beautyshop and do makeup and all kinds of things. Now look at her. A beautiful young woman, graduating with honors and 'on her way'. I know her mother would be so proud of her.

This is my daughter's soon to be college roommate. They attended church together for almost 10 years, went through Sunday school together, confirmation class, good times and bad. When I think of this young woman, I think of "shoes." She owns more than 100 pair of flipflops.....college dorm life will be interesting, don't you think???

HHmmm......this young woman used to call me "Moma2" because she considered me her second mother. My love for her is equal. Best Friends, they are. Even after all these years and the curves that they've both negotiated, the miles in between them, (I better stop here because I feel the tears welling up and I can't do it now) She addressed her classmates as class president, she graduated with honors, she received a full scholarship to FSU - she's doing it.

I remember when these two girls were entering middle school. Telling them to make good choices and that some of the friends that they entered middle school with would not be their friends in a year because they would go another direction - perhaps make choices different than theirs. These girls listened - they made good choices. I remember when they were confirmed together. I remember when they were little and used to play dress up and pretend they were getting married. I remember taking them to piano lessons 50 miles away to Georgia Southern College where the piano professor was the only one who could keep them challenged and stimulated. I remember when her father resigned as pastor of our church and asked for a divorce from her mother because he wasn't going to live in a lie anymore - he wanted to be with his partner. It was wonderful to see him this weekend.

This weekend was good for me in many ways - but one thing that sticks with me even this morning is that the events gave me a little taste of the 'experience' that will be my turn this coming Saturday when my daughter walks across that stage to receive her diploma and honors. Some of you have navigated this journey before - this is new to me. I'm feeling emotions that I'm trying to find a place to situate. It's not easy. The saving grace is that I have much to keep me busy and distracted.

Miles and miles.........these young people have traveled. Miles and miles full of laughter, tears, hopes and dreams. Many realized - the rest are still out there.

We know what we are, but not yet what we can become.

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To my extended family member: You can do this. You're in my thoughts but moreso in my prayers. I pray for wisdom, strength, and courage but most of all love. Love from me, love for yourself and love to yourself.