surreal

thegrad
Originally uploaded by kahl4.

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OK, because of my margaritas I just deleted this post, so I will try to start again.

I finally found out what the word surreal means. We got up at 7:30 and started the dusting and cleaning before people started to arrive. My sighter pitched in a big way by tackling the kitchen. Larry & I were off to Sams and to get the food, come home, shower and get ready. It seemed every five minutes I was catching my breath.

I couldn't believe this day was finally here, she was graduating, with her class, walking across the stage. I couldn't believe we all made it, we were all here, together as a family.

My Dad and stepmom arrived first, it was sooooo good to see them. They haven't been to my house since Thanksgiving 2003. We showed off the painted rooms and talked. My sis was here, then my best friend and daughter, Larrys dad and wife came, then his sister and niece.

We all ate on babrbeque and talked about the journey that was about to come to an end. My dad laughed at my "drama free" comment, we all did. I was on the verge of tears all day. Tears of joy, tears of relief, tears of sadness, tears of fear.

She left early, we finished up then headed down to one of my favorite places in the whole world, Reliant Stadium (home of the Teaxans). We got there in time, just right before they all started walking in. The graduating class of '05. As soon as they started walking in, the tears came. I couldn't stop. When you work this hard for something, it so much sweeter. Our last name starts with a U, so she was one of the very last to come strolling in. We saw her, we cheered, loudly, she looked up, saw us and waived.

I could see her, looking around, talking to her friends, she looked just like she did in when she graduated from kindergarten. I had every single emotion in about 5 minutes. I was elated we were here, I was happy my Dad saw his first grandchild graduate, I was sad my Mom did not. My tears finally stopped when they started calling the names. When they got to 'T', Larry went down to get a better shot from the camera. When they called her name, I saw her life flash before my eyes. Born 18 years ago, a shy sweet girl who came into her own, her own way. Who kicked and screamed, cried and laughed, who struggled so long, her road was rising up to meet her today. Mrs Galeas (her assistant Principal) was the last one in the row of the shaking hands. Ashley literally ran and almost jumped into her arms, more tears. Mrs. Galeas has fought for this child as much as we have. Ashley appreciates her, loves her. It was bittersweet, I can not put it into words.

My stepmom asks me, where is she going? I say, she packed her toothbrush so there's no telling. It is her time, to go, to love, to laugh. She has worked hard, she deserves it.

Larry comes back from the picture taking and there are tears in his eyes, I imagine the same tears I had. We are parents of a graduate. Had you asked me 3 months ago, I wouldn't have imagined it. But, I have the diploma, signed sealed and delivered. It's real and I am so ....... I only wish I could find the word to describe how I have felt today .....

As I hugged my grown up daughter goodbye, I had no fear about where she was going. I kissed her and said have fun, I am proud of you, and watched her walk away .......