He graduated. I’m so proud of him and the work he’s done.
He has a job and as soon as the pandemic allows, he will move across the country to start a new career. Recently, I’ve heard parents and grads talking about how sad they are that there wasn’t a graduation ceremony. They’re upset that they didn’t get to walk the stage and “turn the tassel.” I can certainly sympathize with that.
I’m disappointed, but not because I didn’t see him walk the stage, but because we couldn’t celebrate with family and friends. His graduation ceremony would have been much more important tomy mother and my mother-in-law. Watching their grandchildrens’ accomplishments is what they live for. Their smiles say it all.
I wanted to acknowledge my son’s achievements so I found a bakery that was open and some graduation balloons and we had a mini family celebration. My son scheduled a zoom call with his grandmothers and we all toasted to his success. However, we couldn’t ignore the fact that his aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends were missed dearly. So, I get it.
As a family we have spent more quality time together than ever before. When the children were younger my husband and I were always working and the kids were in school or at after-school activities. We didn’t have time to play cards, games or just sit at the table and talk.
It’s been 7 weeks of the Stay at Home order in Michigan and it is starting to get to all of us, but still, I can’t ignore the silver lining that maybe we traded a graduation ceremony for more family time together.
Maybe we can stop for a moment, instead of complaining about missing graduation, let’s relish in the greater bonds we have made with our families.