Week 23--Graduation

Monday, May 31st

Memorial Day at Harkness.  It was a chilly but lovely return to one of our favorite spots with some of our favorite people.

Missing from the picture: Butch, Rosemary, Vinnie, Diana, and Nina.

Tuesday, June 1st

The very last bit of a beautiful sunset.  We went to a very difficult, heart-wrenching wake.  A 21-year-old daughter of a long-time church family and peer of Maddy's taken from this earth in the blink of an eye in a tragic way; two parents who could do nothing but sob and wail.  Three brothers who watched in complete disbelief and grief.  A huge extended family who will simply never be the same.   

Wednesday, June 2nd

Casey dropped her boys at the house to hang during the funeral.  Maddy and I attended the funeral which was both beautiful and just absolutely devastating.  From there, I took Maddy and dropped her off for the bachelorette trip for the a wedding she was in.

It was probably a good thing that by the time I went up to steam Nathanael's gown, I was already emotionally drained.  

We attended the baccalaureate mass for Nathanael's senior class.

Thursday, June 3rd

Party planning mode.  I've been here before.  I've sat with a pile of baby pictures.  I can literally see the progression of 17 and a half years.  But still, it just seems unbelievable to me.  Some of seems like yesterday and I can remember will clarity.  Other parts, are more aloof.  I see the picture, so it must've happened, but I have trouble putting myself back there.  

How does it all go so fast.  Long days, short years.  Lots and lots and lots of long hours, long days, boo-boos, snacks, can-you-come-wipe-me's, sippy-cups, loads of laundry, drop-offs, pick-ups, watching youth sports, answering questions, diapers, discipline, breaking up fights over who sits where....24/7 of just work with what, many days, feels like wasted time and nothing to show for it.  But those long days are suddenly in the rearview and all you have is a bunch of short years that went by too quickly, a pile of pictures to prove it, the hope that you did everything you could to cherish every bit along the way, and...a very handsome young man putting on his gown for his high school graduation.

Due to limited tickets, we didn't enough for his siblings to come, so they stayed home to watch online and Nathanael invited Ninny and Papa.  HALF of my kids are high school graduates!!!!  How did we get here?  Congratulations, Nathanael and the East Catholic High School Class of 2021!

The ceremony was very special, God-honoring, and included several well-though-out, inspiring speeches. The keynote was an alum of the school and included many inside jokes and made it meaningful for the students. Music, bagpipes, tradition, formality...all done in a memorable way.  And then we celebrated!

We took him- just the 3 of us- to dinner at Market Grille afterwards and enjoyed a lovely dinner with just our sweet graduate.

Friday, June 4th

Lots of party prep and food makin' with my loyal friends who are never far from me, or each other.

Saturday, June 5th

Maddy's first time as a bridesmaid.  A childhood friend / cousin, Amanda.  Colombo and I were invited as guests.  It was a beautiful (hot) outdoor wedding and reception.

Sunday, June 6th

We hosted Nathanael's graduation party.  A yard filled with some pretty amazing humans (about 60!!) who have loved and supported Nathanael throughout the years.  Special thanks to Lisa for beautifully capturing the day.  

Cole kept up with the big boys all day!

After a long year and a half, we saw these loves......and quite a good picture of them!