Mailing Graduation Announcements Brings back Memories
Posted: Thursday, May 21, 2009
by Teresa Ortiz
Freelance writer/Speaker
Graduation announcements already, it can't be, he just started kindergarten yesterday.
This and many other thoughts ran through my mind as I addressed each envelope filled with an announcement, a senior picture, and an invitation to the party.
~~~~~
We left the house early for his first day of Kindergarten; he was so excited and wanted to be there early. The classroom was filled with parents holding video cameras recording every move their child made. The children were waving into the camera - boys with big grins, girls blowing kisses.
"Thank you for joining us this morning, feel free to drop in on occasion", the teacher says with a warm smile. I'm certain she meant, skedaddle people! With that, we reluctantly left the classroom.
The second month of kindergarten found us the proud parents of the "Student of the month". We still have the newspaper article thank you very much! He was off to a good start. This is great stuff.
The third month of kindergarten was exciting as well.
"Mrs. Ortiz, I'll need to see you and your husband in my office immediately, Justin was in a fight with Brody"
"Excuse me?"
"Just--"
"We'll be in this afternoon."
Apparently, Brody, Justin, and one of the girls were playing chase. Brody tagged the girl so Justin jumped him telling him he is not supposed to hit girls. They were rolling around on the ground and Justin bit Brody's finger.
"Why did you bite Brody's finger?"
"Because he put it close to my mouth."
Just like that, his perfect record was tarnished and his status as honorary student was revoked.
Justin and Brody were best friends from that day forward - until the third grade anyway.
Like I said, this all happened yesterday.
~~~~~
The next few months will be busy with work, relocation preparations, and finally, a move to another state where he will attend technical school to perfect his knowledge and love for sport motorcycles. Our daughter will turn 21 years old during the same time as the big move. We are in for another big season of change.
I know we are not alone. Millions of teens will be graduating from high school in the next few weeks. To them and all of you parents I say congratulations! I'm thinking of you and I know we have the same mixed emotions of excitement and anxiety. For this reason I am saying a prayer for each and every graduating student and parent across the globe. Please join me.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for our children and this exciting time of their lives. Help them to maintain focus these last few weeks of school so that they pass all of their finals. Senioritis can have devastating effects. Bless them as they go out into the world some to college, some to technical schools, some into the workplace or the military. Give them wisdom. Help them continue to grow and blossom into healthy and wise adults who will contribute to the good of our society.
Keep them far from temptation that will surely come their way as they move away from their homes.
I pray for us as parents, that we would be strong enough to let go of the reigns and trust that we did the best we could to teach them well. Comfort our hearts as we watch them go their way.
In the name of your most precious Son, amen!
(C) Teresa Ortiz
This and many other thoughts ran through my mind as I addressed each envelope filled with an announcement, a senior picture, and an invitation to the party.
~~~~~
We left the house early for his first day of Kindergarten; he was so excited and wanted to be there early. The classroom was filled with parents holding video cameras recording every move their child made. The children were waving into the camera - boys with big grins, girls blowing kisses.
The second month of kindergarten found us the proud parents of the "Student of the month". We still have the newspaper article thank you very much! He was off to a good start. This is great stuff.
The third month of kindergarten was exciting as well.
"Mrs. Ortiz, I'll need to see you and your husband in my office immediately, Justin was in a fight with Brody"
"Excuse me?"
"Just--"
"We'll be in this afternoon."
Apparently, Brody, Justin, and one of the girls were playing chase. Brody tagged the girl so Justin jumped him telling him he is not supposed to hit girls. They were rolling around on the ground and Justin bit Brody's finger.
"Why did you bite Brody's finger?"
"Because he put it close to my mouth."
Just like that, his perfect record was tarnished and his status as honorary student was revoked.
Justin and Brody were best friends from that day forward - until the third grade anyway.
Like I said, this all happened yesterday.
~~~~~
The next few months will be busy with work, relocation preparations, and finally, a move to another state where he will attend technical school to perfect his knowledge and love for sport motorcycles. Our daughter will turn 21 years old during the same time as the big move. We are in for another big season of change.
I know we are not alone. Millions of teens will be graduating from high school in the next few weeks. To them and all of you parents I say congratulations! I'm thinking of you and I know we have the same mixed emotions of excitement and anxiety. For this reason I am saying a prayer for each and every graduating student and parent across the globe. Please join me.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for our children and this exciting time of their lives. Help them to maintain focus these last few weeks of school so that they pass all of their finals. Senioritis can have devastating effects. Bless them as they go out into the world some to college, some to technical schools, some into the workplace or the military. Give them wisdom. Help them continue to grow and blossom into healthy and wise adults who will contribute to the good of our society.
Keep them far from temptation that will surely come their way as they move away from their homes.
I pray for us as parents, that we would be strong enough to let go of the reigns and trust that we did the best we could to teach them well. Comfort our hearts as we watch them go their way.
In the name of your most precious Son, amen!
(C) Teresa Ortiz
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Great article. Well done.I am sadly not used to the idea of graduation as at school we get our qualifications in the post and have no such graduation or party.Hi Connor,wow, I learned something new today. I thought every school across the lands had a graduation ceremony. I'm sorry you and many others miss out.It is a special thing here. All dressed up, with caps and gowns and they walk down the isle to receive their diploma.Thanks for reading and leaving a comment. Blessings to you! TeresaIn the UK you only get a graduation ceremony if you do a degree at university. As for High School there is no such thing know of.
This article brings such wonderful memories. Enjoy your time with Justin before he moves away but, remember he will always be your little boy. Our sons still need us even when they are grown.Thanks for the encouragement! I hope he always needs his mommy :-)I am thinking of you today!
Dear Teresa,I'm sure you will remember this bittersweet time forever. It's such an exciting time for the graduate and, yet, as you say, a time of mixed emotions, especially for the parents. Congratulations on rearing a fine young man who is getting ready to begin a new chapter in his life. You obviously have cared well for the gift God gave you many years ago.I am so glad you concluded with a prayer for all the graduates. Well done.Best wishes to all of you.GrammyHi Grammy, I think you are right. I appreciate the encouraging words.It's a tough world out there and all of us need as much prayer as we can get :-)Blessings to you! Thank you for reading and leaving a comment.
Thank you Teresa! You've put into words what so many parents are feeling right now. A wonderful article and prayer.Thank you Brianna!
They grow up so fast; it's sad.I now have two very sweet little granddaughters, which makes me feel as if I have small children of my own again. I spoil them rotten.When I was in Germany many years ago, and my daughter was 2 years old, I bought her a little German dress in the town of Rothenburg. She wore it many times, then my wife packed it away. Just recently my daughter put it on her daughter and came over to our place. She didn't tell us that she was going to have her daughter wearing the dress. When I came into the room and saw my little granddaughter wearing that little German dress, I broke down in tears. It was a huge flashback. It was as if I were looking at my little girl once agin. My daughter came and hugged me and said she had not expected that kind of reaction from me, but I'm a dad, and it was hard for me to see my daughter grow up and leave home. Seeing my granddaughter in that dress brought back the image of my little girl once again.David! Thanks for sharing this very special memory. My husband would cry too! What a wonderful thing for your daughter to do. I am smiling for you!
I just love your articles. I always feel like a part of your family. Thank you for sharing.Aw, thank you Linda, you are a part of my extended family :-)Blessings to you! Teresa
Oh, Teresa, you brought back so many sweet memories by relating yours! Congrats to J on his graduation and his choice of careers. Amen to your prayer!Hi Lorrie, thank you. I bet you have some great stories :-)Pray does well on his finals this week! It's been a tough road academically for him. He's not a book learner. Pray especially for his math final.He can't wait to get to tech school. I know he will blossom there.Hugs, Teresa
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