one last time ....

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Today, I drove to the school one last time for Ashley. They had ran out of diploma holders and made the announcement at graduation to stop by today and pick them up. Before I get to the school, I stop and get a card for Mrs. Galeas. Thanking her for all she's done, all she has helped with and for being strong and giving dhall when she had too. I also put a 20.00 gift card to Chili's for some much needed presidente margaritas and Ashleys graduation picture. She will always be remembered.

As I exited, I thought about all the times I had driven to this school over the past four years. Picking her up for doctors &dentist appointments, the times she was sick, watching track meets, art shows open houses, summer school and meetings. I could not believe this was the last time I would make this trip for Ashley. A chapter has closed.

I walk into the school and on auto pilot go to the assistants offices. I peek into Mrs. Galeas office, she's not there, I leave the card on her desk. There are students milling around, taking last chance exams, paying for books and getting transcripts. As I wait to ask about the holder, I hear a voice, "You must be SOOOOOOO HAPPY!". I turn around, it's Mrs. Galeas. Her arms are already open as she hugs me. We talk about Ashley running into her arms at graduation, I want to ask what was said in that millisecond, but don't. We chat about how happy we were and how we both have never seen Ashley happier. I thank her for everything she has done, she gets me the holder and hugs me again. "Now we will only see each other at the pool!" she says. Funny, she lives in the neighborhood next to mine. I whisper to her, "there's something in your office" and leave, for the last time regarding Ashley.

It's bittersweet. Ashley hasn't been home since graduation, she's been bunking up at Chanells. She has called and let us know where she is and it has been very nice, quiet and stress free our first week into the summer.

Larry & I went and bought some more trees for our backyard. It's huge. We bought an apple & pear tree, an autumn blaze maple, a flowering crabapple and an arizona ash to provide shade but far away from the pool so the roots don't crack it. Last year we planted a pecan tree and it's starting to come around. I went back today for some 1 gallon gardenias to line the pool, they smell sooooo good! We have a year before our family reunion in Texas and our house will be the host. This is the main drive for the backyard beautification.

Tonight I will make sketti for my banana. I'm going to use the macaroni noodles again instead of angel hair. I am going to begin work on the shadow box for Ashleys graduation stuff. Her diploma, tassel, ticket and other fun stuff. I will save it here for her until she gets her own place.

She still hasn't signed the early deployment papers and I gently reminded her she needs to do so. Tomorrow she will. It is time to move on to the next chapter of her life, and ours too.