One Chapter Closes

 He did it!  Matthew graduated!  These 13 years felt long but as I sat on the field watching as he crossed the stage for his diploma it felt as if it all went by in a blink.  He didn't like school and he and I questioned if public school was the right choice but I did see how God's provision carried him through.  He had some struggles here and there but still graduated Cum Laude.  He said, "Imagine if I actually tried."  

The morning was warm but very windy.  Many were losing their caps. Since Rob is on the school board he was able to hand him the diploma.   At the end we were able to get a lot of pictures.  

He wanted to recreate the picture.  When Matthew was in kindergarten he brought home this tiny pine tree.  We planted it in the front yard and it's grown right along with him.  Actually, it's gotten a lot bigger and still growing.  

Even though he is now a young adult ready to set sail on a new chapter of life I will still remember that little 5 year old waiting outside for the school bus to take him for the first day of school.  Oh, I felt so much pain that day wondering if he was okay and anticipating the moment when he got home.  Now I feel a new level of pain as I prepare to send him two hours away to college.  He's a man now.  An official adult.  He made it through childhood and learned a lot along the way and now a new adventure begins.  He's ready for it - but as for me - I will always hold tight to the memory of this little boy.