Graduation Day

For so many parents, this day and those like it are such magical times. Today, many parents will see at least one of their children along with many others graduate from high school today.

Today, my first born daughter will graduate.

I guess that one of the several things that makes this a special moment is that she's just so incredibly smart. She's pursuing a continuing education at one of the finest schools teaching what she's pursuing, which is aeronautical engineering (rocket science) and she's shown every single sign that not only will she thrive, but lead the way as she leaves behind these childhood days and pursues the remainder of her future.

This one is particularly memorable for me because of some of the history here. Her mother and I split when she was barely getting any teeth in, but yet we were able to both work together to ensure I was an active and able part of our daughter's life. What made this difficult was space (ironically) after the two of them moved to Texas just after I had replanted roots in Florida. But before the move, my daughter was openly welcomed to the other family I became part of, and so many people were not the dramatic goofs all of us hear about in split families. I could go on and on in explanation, but suffice it to say there were no walls.

Before they moved, I spent as much time as I could with my daughter, making the best of the time as I could. We communicated, talked and learned, laughed and enjoyed one another's company. I can certainly say I so enjoyed those days when I had the time to spend with her. But the bigger thing was that this was not just a day with Dad, but these were the days when Dad could be there.

The move was hard for the two of us but not the end of anything. The telephone kept us together over the years along with a few visits. But wow if those visits weren't so few. Too few.

But fast forward to the present day. Just yesterday was the first day I had seen my daughter in nearly five years. The delay was caused by economic stressors everyone who knows me knows I am confident were contrived, so I take the corrupt actions of this government very personally. But other than being astonished by the transformation from kid to young woman (she's 18), it seemed as though there was almost no time since our last days together. We had done it; we had maintained the bond.

My wife and our younger daughter, who has years to go before graduation, drove from Florida to just past San Antonio, Texas, in a little Ford Escape (more irony? anyway...) in order to be there. The drive was just a breath over 1200 miles, done in about 26 hours. While I was more than ready to escape that car, it all drifted away when I saw my little girl race across a span in order to nearly knock me from my feet in a warm embrace. Yeah, not so little, anymore.

To make a significant point, one of the ways I've felt about my children was they're not mine and that their lives are theirs. So, to see this one at the edge of her future and loving the thought of it warms me so much. It doesn't matter that she is my biological daughter but that she's someone I adore who is genuinely doing it. I have seen a few others hit this age only to bog it all down with high hopes of strings of sitters while they run the hamster wheel of minion labor. To see this one, or any of them, escape that is worth celebrating.

My daughter has achieved incredible accolades when it comes to academic achievement, and has literally earned tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships put toward her continuing education, so that there is a sign she's already doing it. So today being a day where she'll, well, launch her life to new heights is a genuinely magical moment.

I have no doubt that today will surely witness some tear-filled moments. I have dreamed of (and agonized to make sure I was there to witness) this day for so long, particularly since everyone knew this was a mere stepping stone for one who has long been recognized as one of the most successful high school students in the country. Her grades and achievements through school have long been phenomenal on their own, and everyone who knows her has every confidence that these successes will continue. Thus, the importance of ceremony.

For many, the moment of high school graduation marks a moment of moving from a rather structured and simpler time in life to one where they truly do sink or swim. It is not a mark of success in life when one achieves the career of childhood dreams (not everyone is an astronaut or business mogul); what marks a good success is when one moves from child to respectable and contributing member of society. But a marvelous success is when a child grows from young child to young adult and embraces this daunting world with bright eyes looking forward and dreams pinging from every facet of a brilliant mind. This is the one I see in my daughter, and I brim with love and admiration because of it.

I agonized to see this because the past couple of years continually challenged my making what seemed like a simple journey. In fact, I had to place my present job at risk in order to be here (I was afforded the time off with a grumble and notification that I took advantage, along with hints that I pushed my luck) and we've had to nurse the pennies to ensure we could do this. But to see my daughter pursue something she wants while I had to grovel to those turning the cranks on my hamster wheel made jumping from the wheel even more worth it. Because they made it clear I was so lucky to be afforded the time (at great cost and effort on their part) it was clear that only some should enjoy moments in life such as these. I stole my moment, but the chances are good my daughter will never have to.

So, that's another good magical moment of the day. My father struggled to get what was a hard living. I have struggled to get what so many others make look so easy, and lost most of it. But for my daughter, it seems as though the sky is opening up to make way for her. By proxy, it feels as though her successes provide my largely anonymous and uneventful life some measure of satisfaction. Because while most of my dreams were replaced with hopes for some overtime and admissions of this is as good as it gets, someone I know and love gets to rise above that. Sure, none of us know for sure the future will bring what we expect (particularly in this socialist police state), but it feels wonderful to have confident hope.

So, later today, I will join the anonymous crowd as I often do and witness someone so vibrant and important launch from a moment of passing childhood days to the moment when the world states, come get some. But for this one, it is as though the arms of space and time open up as she pursues the sky and its secrets, so it isn't just the world placing a welcome mat, but the entirety of the universe.

With a warm and love-filled heart, we will watch her attain her high school diploma and then turn to literally pursue everything within the mysteries of the creation of God. And maybe I'm being a bit prejudiced, but wow if it doesn't feel as though He's enlightened the way.

Chase those dreams, Sierra Jade, and enjoy the miracles and mysteries of life.