Wednesday, May 21, 2014

The Road To Graduation


                                                   

Nowadays, so many students are on the five year plus plan for college graduation. Fortunately, both of our sons took the standard four year route, and we were thrilled to celebrate with our younger son last weekend. Our road trip to the ceremony was almost as challenging as his college courses.

Last December, I invited my mom to join us after we made the hotel reservations. Though we booked three rooms over five months in advance, we still had to stay about thirty minutes away from campus. Initially my mom was sure that she would "ruin my time," and declined the offer. We continued to hold onto our rooms, in the hope that she would change her mind.

Later, when both of our boys told her how much they wanted her to come she replied, "I'll think about it." After her hair stylist agreed to take her a day early, the plans were set. Now the next step was to find the proper vehicle to transport six passengers, and my mom's luggage for a ten day stay on an overnight trip.

 Once again, my hubby was in full research mode. Though my car seats six comfortably, there wouldn't have been enough room for our bags, plus my mom's walker and wheelchair. We decided on a Ford Expedition SUV which seats eight, and barely had room to spare.

The seating arrangement was as follows: I was in the front seat with hubby, my mom and her caregiver were in the middle, and my brother and older son were in the way-back. Because the truck was so long, the passengers in the middle seat couldn't hear what the front seat was saying, the backseat couldn't hear what the front seat was saying, and no one could hear what my mom was saying in the middle seat, as she's such a low talker. We spent the majority of the four hour drive saying, "Huh, what, and can you repeat that?" Though my son and his uncle were off in their own little world in the way-back talking about everything under the sun. I tried to use my superior hearing skills, and booming baritone voice to translate for everyone, but even my powers succumbed to my husband's tin ear, and lead foot.

                                                               


That night we took our grad out for a delicious Italian dinner. My dear friend from college was also there celebrating with her daughter. It seemed like only yesterday when our son took a bite out of her daughter's cheek at his second birthday at Chuck E. Cheese, and now they were graduating college together.

The next morning, my prince of a husband got up early to make a bakery run. Then he personally delivered muffins, bagels, and orange juice. When he reached my mom's room, he rang the bell, and set off flashing lights. This startled my mom and her caregiver. She thought that this was some kind of hotel emergency warning. I told her that it must have been a special system to notify a hearing impaired person that someone was at the door. It made sense that this was featured in a handicapped room. It's amazing how you just become drunk with knowledge in a college town.

Instead of being announced in alphabetical order, the graduates received their empty diploma cases, according to where they were seated. This made it difficult to gauge when to take a bathroom break, but we all managed to hear our boy's name called. Later when we dropped him off at his lovely house, his friends were in mid-celebration on the front porch. They all called out his name, and greeted him with a big round of applause.

I could've written about how hard our son worked, and how he never gave up. Though when he looks back on this day, he'll remember how happy he was that Nana and Unc came to see him, and that his friends cheered him on, no matter how drunk with knowledge he was, after we left.

                                                     
                                                           


32 comments:

  1. A wonderful event for proud parents, although I surprised your boy wasn't wearing a hat. Was he worried about looking like a schmuck? He shouldn't have been.

    As for the truck issue, I can't believe a man who looks like Rodney Dangerfield would have difficulty in making his voice heard.

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  2. Glad you got your mom to go! Congratulations to your son. And the flashing lights in your mom's room was funny.

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  3. College graduation is one of the best and most monumental occasions a family can celebrate. It is the beginning of so many things for the graduate and the end of paying tuition for the parents.

    Family road trips are also memorable and are always funny when you look back on them. How wonderful that your mom could go along.

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  4. So did the girl ever get to sew or glue her cheek back on before this graduation?

    Hugs and chocolate!

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  5. I've never heard of a ceremony that didn't call the grads up alphabetically. Wow. That was challenging. Every name was a surprise. I imagine many folks were saying, "Who'd they call? Did I miss it?" Ugghh.

    As always, your mom was a hoot. I am sorry to hear that she is hearing impaired and in need of a wheelchair. I still had her pictured in my mind as that lady on your Israel trip in the hiking gear who passed you on the trek up the mountain (or whatever it was) like you were standing still. I guess age gets everyone eventually...

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  6. Gorilla - He wore a cap during the ceremony, but decided to take it off. I'm so glad that you haven't told me who I look like yet! We all had trouble hearing each other at times in the truck, though we were quite comfortable.

    Alex - i wish I had seen their faces when it happened! Thanks Alex!

    Arleen - I'm glad that our sons were able to convince her. We've taken other road trips, and family vacations before, and I know we'll always remember them. Thanks Arleen!

    Shelly - Fortunately, it was only an affectionate nibble. She was adorable then, and even more beautiful now. He always had good taste!

    Julie

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  7. I'm certain the celebration of your son's knowledge continued on into the evening! Congratulations to all, especially your mother for raising such a wonderful daughter.

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  8. Robin - Not only is my mom's hearing still intact, but she also has great vision. She only uses a wheelchair for long walks, and has been using a walker for years due to spinal stenosis. The handicapped hotel room was equipped for all disabilities, though it was situated far from the elevator.

    Carol - Thank you so much, and we're all lucky to have her!

    Julie

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  9. That will always be a day to remember and discuss. How wonderful that grandma could go with you!

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  10. Aw, congrats to your son. And to you for surviving the road trip with family. ha!

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  11. What a great time! It was nice that you had so many people there to celebrate!

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  12. Hurray for the graduate! And how absolutely wonderful that his grandmother could attend.

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  13. Good memories shared as a family! you took him back to his house and a celebration is going on and he's drunk on what? lol! Liked the pictures!

    Sia McKye Over Coffee

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  14. I'm so glad your trip was such a success. (Not surprised, though.) But holy moley, I wonder why in the world the school didn't call the students in alphabetical order. That's nuts! How's the family supposed to know when it's safe to run to the bathroom...?

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  15. Congrats to your son! It's an exciting time.

    www.modernworld4.blogspot.com

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  16. Congratulations to your son. It was great your mom finally consented to going along. I had to giggle over the flashing lights in her room tho - I guess that would startle a person when you don't know it's going to happen. What a lovely picture that is.

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  17. Julie, this sounds like it was a wonderful family celebration. Congratulations to your son!

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  18. Susan - Yes, we're very happy that she made the trip. Thanks Susan!

    Ava - Our son liked having his entourage with him! Thanks Ava!

    Lee - It really wouldn't have been the same without her. Thanks Lee!

    Sia - We just dropped him off, and everyone was out celebrating on the porch. We were too afraid to go inside, as they had a live-in bat last winter! Thanks Sia!

    Susan - Some of us went in shifts, and I ran right after his name was called. I'm so glad that no one took photos then! Thanks Susan!

    Gina - Thank you, and your time will come before you know it!

    Mary - It was funny when I heard about it, but it must've been pretty frightening at the time. Thanks Mary!

    Julie

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  19. Hi Julie - so pleased it all worked out and your mother did join you - and that you and hubby made sure all was smooth and there was plenty of organisation.

    As you say your son will be so chuffed with it all - seeing everyone, being with his family and then having that rousing send-off with his friends ...

    Congratulations to him too - and you for producing two clever sons .. is younger one going the legal route too? For now and it sounds a great time was had by one and all .. cheers Hilary

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  20. My second son did not like graduations. He did not want anyone to come to his college graduation, so we stayed home. When he graduated from law school we all planned to go, but his wife decided to have a baby so we celebrated that instead.

    There are so many good things to celebrate and make life more enjoyable.I'm glad you all had a special time. I am impressed that your mother went along. She must be a brave woman.

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  21. Congratulations to your son, and to you all. I love the phrase "drunk with knowledge." That's appropriate. Sounds like a memorable day for all.

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  22. Oh I think graduations are such a great time to celebrate our kiddos. My son graduated last year from college, and my daughter this year from high school. In four years, there'll be yet another one for her and in two, one from grad school for my son! It's just so wonderful to see our kids go for their dreams and achieve them.

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  23. Hilary - We did have a great time! Our son enjoyed coaching teams at the university, as well as athletes at the high school level and younger. His dream is to become a strength and conditioning coach which he'll continue training for this summer. He's very close with his older brother, and he may need his legal expertise someday. You have a great memory! Thanks Hilary!

    Yvonne - You had a double celebration with your son's law school graduation, and the birth of your grandchild! Sounds like you were in the right place at the right time. I'll be sure to tell my mom that you think she's brave. Though you happen to be right, it will still make her day! Thanks Yvonne!

    Robyn - That saying rings true on many levels! It brought back memories of my college daze! Thanks Robyn!

    Julie - Congratulations on your daughter's graduation, and best of luck to your son in grad school! Though they'll both be away, the time really will go by quickly. It is exciting to see them achieve their dreams! Thanks Julie!

    Julie

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  24. Hi Julie,

    A heart warming story. Everything fell into place and your mother could make it to the ceremonies. Graduations, pride and so many emotions. Hearty congrats to your son, Julie.

    Gary :)

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    1. Thank you so much, Gary! We were very happy that we could all be there for our son's big day! We're extremely proud of him!

      Julie

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  25. Congratulations to your son. Sounds like you all had great time.

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  26. Congrats to your son! And how hard was this cheek bite? We talking love-nibble, or something that required a full on skin-graft?

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  27. Nas - It was nice that we were all able to enjoy it! Thanks Nas!

    Brandon & Bryan - Just love nibbles. She didn't need a rabies shot or skin graft, but thanks for asking!

    Julie

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  28. Congrats to him! Sounds like it was a great day!

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  29. I loved this! I smiled the whole way though it--okay, okay...I chuckled here and there, too. Congrats to your son--and congrats to you! Lovely post :-)

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  30. Cherie - Thank you, and congrats on your new book!

    Teresa - Thank you so much! Now you've really made me smile too!

    Julie

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