Mud Pies & Butterflies: Diploma

June is a magical time of the year. It is a season of change and excitement. The school year is coming to a quick close. Children look forward to the frolics of summer months while parents frantically realize the last nine months got away and they must plan events and vacations. Graduations are looming while congratulations abound. This leads me to a very important subject: diplomas.

I imagine I have been on the PTA most of your schooling. Come your Junior years I am probably President planning for graduation dates. I look ahead to the classes of 2027 and 2028 . I see my boys dressed in their cap and gown with their tassel tickling the sides of their temple. It is safe to guess I am more of an emotional heart than I am today. I have had a lump in my throat your entire Senior year. I am proud.

Am I proud of your diploma? Sure. Although, I think the pride bursts from whom you as individuals have grown into. Two young men who at times struggled as well as found ease in achieving, whether it be personal or educational matters. This entire school year I will be in my minds eye replaying moments leading us to the diploma: first word, counting to 17, riding a bike without training wheels, crossing the street alone, love notes, overnight camp, driving clutch, a real paycheck, college letters and the list goes on to remembering how we worked on reading; and Kade in one sitting you learned to tie a shoe. All are life successes. All are notable.

The above milestones (and many more) are achievements, but more importantly each is an expectation. As your Mom, I expect you to learn to wash your laundry, navigate a map, and practice manners. Just as I expect that after you receive your diploma you will choose to go off to school, learn a trade or work. I anticipate my family growing by you boys. I expect. It is in the details of how the expectation is met, which will become your accomplishments. Your choice.

I will not be a parent all buttered and buttoned to celebrate your diploma as something earned. I will save this for college. Your high school diploma takes discipline to earn, but it is has been a lifelong expectation, not a lifelong achievement. Just as my guidance, singing Happy Birthday on your birth dates and providing a safe home is an expectation placed upon me your diploma is an expectation placed upon you. There is no maybe. It is a definitive- not to be missed.

As a result of this understanding I go back into my imagination and find myself sitting in the midst of hundreds of parents delighting knowing you two understood this family’s expectation. The two of you independent of the other and from me set out forging ahead to make good on this belief since pre-K. Your name is called, I cry and applaud. I hold up my camera, look through the lens centering it on my life’s achievement. I press click capturing the obligatory photos of you in your cap and gown holding your diploma. During this time there will be an echo of congratulations for your accomplishment. I see high-fives all around for being dedicated in completing this mountain called school. Little ones, school is the one mountain I expect you to climb. You will struggle, but you will peek.