Graduation Day
It's Graduation Day. Or maybe Retirement Day. Whatever it should be called, tonight, I host Austin's yearbook party at his grammar school, and then, after two consecutive years, I am officially retired as a yearbook committee chairman and yearbook editor.
As much work (ie: cat herding) as was involved, I'm pretty proud of the two books I edited. I got to use my design skills, which often lay dormant since I got my degree in Advertising. I got to know all of the kids in my children's graduating classes, which was eye-opening -- not just because I got to know some kids I didn't know well before, but also because I got to see some I knew very well mature into fine young women and men.
But, best of all, I got to spend a lot of time with my kids during their graduation events. Car washes. Senior trips. Graduation dances. Awards ceremonies. Graduation itself. All of it made much more meaningful by the knowledge that I was there to capture the moment, not just for our family, but for all of the families.
I know an eighth grade yearbook is the sort of thing that will likely gather dust under the bed, but I hope it will give the graduates and their parents some smiles and fond memories in years to come.
A quote from a song lyric I found while working on the latest yearbook. From 'The Journey' - Music & Lyrics by Julie Gold, Performed by Lea Salonga:
Forward, always forward
Onward,always up
Catching every drop of hope
In my empty cup
What a journey it has been
And the end is not in sight
But the stars are out tonight
And they're bound to guide my way
(What's that kids? Your high schools are looking for parent volunteers for some projects? Ai-ai-ai!!!)