Double the Graduations; Double the Fun
Caitlan Claire and Nicholas James both graduated today–KK from Georgetown and Nic from Bellarmine. Both will carry on their educations–Nic at Auburn pursuing an academic adventure in veterinary medicine and KK at Oxford experiencing an educational endeavor involving political science and economics. Admission into either of these programs is no small potatoes! It was absolutely unforgettable to see these young people in their element with family and friends, smiling, praying, posing, and thanking. Everyone there was busting with pride for them. Friendly rivalry appeared when KK showed Nic all her honor cords and medals (more than any other G-town grad and done in three years), but he outdid her because he had a HOOD! Then she gave him a graduation owl which marched to POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE and then did the CHICKEN DANCE (UJ had to keep it from dancing off the table). There were pictures with parents, godparents, and Grammo as well as a big group picture under the giant horse. KK’s bes’beau Kyle was there, her bes’frens Christie and Melissa, aunts, uncles, and cousins galore, and those who also helped raise her up–Pat, Verla, Andrew, Alice and Michele. How kind of them all to come. Thanks is an inadequate word. Mombo just gloried in it all, and it was a joy to sing HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to her a day early.
When people mention to me that KK and I are so much alike or “you two look like clones,” I want to correct them immediately–certainly she is the new and improved version! Then I think of Wayne and his infinite love for his little girl, and I know that she is unmistakably HIS daughter. They didn’t have each other for long in this life, but I am sure that he was there today. His love impacted her forever. He was busting with pride, too. So was Joe, who wanted so much to love and care for her as his own. Perhaps her likeness to me is not only genetic but environmental. Nature and nurture, both playing a part in her being and mine, both of us loved unconditionally by daddies in whose eyes we did no wrong and who believed we could accomplish anything we set out to do. But it was our moms who stuck with us, who will always be there for us. At least that is my hope. . .and prayer. How truly, truly blessed I am to have mother and daughter presence in my life. I love you both with all my heart.