… Will you be ready?
Sure you’ve been working long and hard for this day. You’ve looked forward to it for months. You’re more than ready. And yet…
Isn’t there always something you weren’t prepared for?
Like the fact that big achievements mean big changes.
And sometimes big goodbyes.
Yesterday my youngest son graduated from college.
As moments go, it was definitely a big one.
He has worked hard for four years to arrive at this moment. It’s what he has been aiming for since he first stepped on campus.
And yet…
As my older son observed: At graduation everyone else is celebrating and feeling exhilarated, but the person who is graduating is feeling kind of bummed, because he knows this is the last time he will see most of these people.
Very true. When the ceremony is over and final hugs have been given, my son’s classmates will scatter across the country and beyond. He will probably never see some of them again.
Nor will he ever again be part of such a close-knit community–at least not in quite the same way. Son # 2 had been grappling with this fact for the last few weeks, taking note of all the “last-time-I-will” moments.
Life is full of such much-anticipated moments that lead to new and better things, but that also mean bidding goodbye to what was. We cannot have the new unless we are willing to give up the old.
We know this, of course, but sometime, when that big moment finally arrives, we’re not as prepared to let go as we thought we were.
That’s OK.
Enjoy your big moments anyway.
Kathy Rupff says
A great observation, Lisa. Not sure why some of the biggest moments in life are bittersweet… Thank you so much for sharing. Beautiful writing and great photos!
Lisa says
Thanks. It was a certainly a day packed with emotions. I am still recovering. 🙂
Magalie Mahabir says
Lisa, thank you for your very thoughtful insight. I’ve been watching my Samantha go through these last – time moments for a while, as I quietly whisper prayers that God would prepare her heart as he heals the sense of loss and brings forth new growth. I’ve been recovering for a while as I have had to live my own last – time moments with my precious girl. It was wonderful spending time with you all! Hope to have a lot more First -Time moments with you all:)
Lisa says
Looking forward to many first-time moments with David and Samantha! (Not to mention various friends, family members, etc.)