It’s that time of year again, when our youngsters graduate from the various plateaus in their education.
Looking back, my very favorite graduation in our family was my daughter’s ceremony up from kindergarten. Unforeseen buttons unleashed tears of joy that were out of my control. My emotions seem to go berserk as I realized with utter clarity how fast the time was going. One day she was born, and then far too soon she was graduating into the first grade. It seemed so huge to me at the time. Everyone thought I had “lost it” as I struggled to gulp down tears that kept on coming while at the same time trying to sing our family’s rendition of “You are my sunshine,” our favorite song, and our contribution to the festivities.
I wasn’t wrong with my emotional vision. The time has passed so swiftly and now its college graduations for her crowd that seem to have come about in no time since high school graduation. How could it have happened so quickly? They have to be too young still for this ceremony but they aren’t. The years have passed and here we are again, thrilling in their achievements, their growth and their futures.
As you attend your own children’s commencement ceremonies and celebrations, keep in mind how quickly it all goes and revel in the enjoyment of the stages as they are marked. The film gets speeded up it would seem and the older we get the faster it all seems to be moving.
How fortunate we are to be seeing our children grow, expand and achieve. Being parents through the stages of our children’s lives as they move from decade to decade and level-to-level is an achievement not only for them but for us as well.
June is a wonderful month. It’s usually quite beautiful and it’s a time of year of great weather and long days. It’s when schools let out and summer begins and for us here in NYC it marks the need for our children to find summer programs to not only have fun participating in, but also to challenge them and keep the intellect alive.
Hopefully all of you either have figured that out already or are in the process. Keep in mind that there is still space available in the myriad of options for your child or children and that summer should not be totally “time off.” Great programs are in every borough.
On a final note, there are families in need all around us, from our neighbors still impacted by the effects of Super Storm Sandy to our neighbors in Moore, Oklahoma who have experienced the devastation of a mega tornado. Reaching out with money, clothes, and other forms of help is just what neighbors should do when tragedy strikes.
I’m on vacation for a time this month and I can’t wait. We all need time to relax and to “just be.” Wishing you all a happy month and good times for all your families. Thanks for reading!
