Graduation and All the Things

My son Caleb graduated from high school last weekend. He’s my second child to reach this milestone. But just because I’ve gone through it before doesn’t mean it’s easier this time. The ceremony itself isn’t what gets me emotional. I think there are way too many distractions and people for me to let the tears flow freely there. No, my tears usually come unpredictably, like when I was watching Caleb brush his teeth one night several weeks ago. There was nothing sentimental about it, but maybe that’s just it for me… I enjoy the everydayness of being together more than the big, special occasions. My son has been part of my regular, everyday life for over 18 years now, and it’s really, really hard to imagine daily life without him. 

Don’t get me wrong. I am so excited for his next stage of life! I loved my college years so much, and I am hoping he will love his, as well. I am praying that these next four years (or five, if he’s like me) will be a wonderful time of personal growth, deeper faith, abundant encouragement, the good kind of challenge, and hopeful vision for the future. I want to focus on what is ahead of him, rather than focusing on what is already behind us. I don’t want him to feel bad that he is moving away from home, though I do want him to know how much he will be missed. I hope and pray that he feels ready for this next big step and that I don’t overwhelm him with trying to cram in a bunch of life lessons at the last minute.

But isn’t that how we feel as we are launching our kids out into the world? We start to panic a little, realizing we haven’t finished teaching them everything about everything! How will they do on their own? We won’t be right there, as we have always been, if they need us! Are they ready?! Are WE ready?!?!

And yet, they will figure it out, just as we did when we moved away from home for the first time. I want to remember how excited (and yes, somewhat scared) I felt when I first launched on my own. I want my son to feel excited, confident, ready, and to know that his parents believe that he is ready, too.

Parents, this is a big deal. High school graduation is a big deal! Let’s celebrate big! And if you need to let some tears flow (and you do), just let them come, whether it’s during a formal ceremony or a routine teeth-brushing. The tears are good. We need the tears. Feel all the feels, give the extra long hugs, look longingly at the baby pictures, but don’t get stuck in the sadness, because this is a time for celebration! Let’s let the tears remind us of all that we have to be grateful for and let them remind us of the love and bond we have with our children. They might be going off to college, but they still know how to reach us when they need us. And that is a great comfort to us ALL.