Graduation Day 2008

School buses are crawling all over Lynchburg this morning, corralling kids for a couple of more days yet, but we are on our way to Charlotte, NC, and grandson Ryan’s high school graduation. The sun tickles the clouds and promises another hot day. Little Red Cavalier’s airconditioner is a welcome addition to our trip as we cruise down Highway 29 south through our lush green world.

Farmers are just beginning to harvest their winter wheat; their fields of tobacco are thriving as we near the NC state line. Modern commercial buildings stand beside old tobacco drying sheds, a vivid reminder of the diverse blend of our country.

Joyce Garrett is a knowledgeable asset to the state of North Carolina and has been running the visitors’ center 14 years, since the day it opened. Such a friendly lady! Bundles of travel literature in hand, we push southward through the smoky haze caused by a two-week-old forest fire in the eastern part of the state. Even the sun struggles to pierce the grayness. Brilliant yellow lilies in the center median take over Mr. Sun’s job of spreading beauty. Strawberry farms advertise the availability of their ruby gold.

I85 is the avenue of choice at Greensboro, then we rocket along between orange lilies and feathery pink mimosa trees. Burger King in Thomasville cures our “hongries”. The air no longer smells of smoke but the sun is still arguing with clouds and haze. We notice the grass is looking dried. Daisies wink at us from center medians. We cross US Route 64 which would take us just south of Forreston, Illinois, if we wanted to go there today.

Spencer, North Carolina, is home to the NC Transportation Museum. OK, fine, but we have another destination in mind --- the Little Choo Choo Train Shop. They are well-stocked and we become the owners of more colored foam for making trees for Jim’s train layout. Jim needs to keep me out of places like this!

At last we find 402 Clairview Lane and the house is quiet. Lori and Ryan have gone to the airport to pick up Larry. Jeff gives us a tour of their home improvements and shows us my grandmother’s refinished desk. Oh, the memories this piece of furniture evokes. I am a little girl again, doing IMPORTANT! things with my crayons and, oh!, there are all my jig saw puzzles behind those two bottom doors --- and my coloring books are in the deep drawer. Smokey, my dog is right here beside me, waiting for another of our explorative adventures. Is that Mom I hear calling me to supper? Ooops!! No, it is time to settle back into 2008 as more of the family arrives for Ryan’s graduation weekend.

The evening is spent doing all the things families are notorious for. You know, joking and hugging and razzing each other. Lori has prepared a tasty dish of shell pasta for our dinner and has also baked fresh chocolate cookies. These goodies evaporate.

For many years Ryan has been a part of the soccer programs wherever he lived and his mom has fortunately saved many of his jerseys. Ryan’s Aunt Cindy and this gramma were able to use those jerseys in a custom-made quilt so Ryan is happy with his gift. Nobody else in this whole world has one exactly like it.

Ryan’s grandpa Tom, from New Jersey, bails out for a motel as the rest of us, 20 strong, jockey for a spot to sleep in Lori and Jeff’s beautiful home. It is after midnight when I see a light still on out front and discover Lori and her brother Randy sitting on the endgate of Ryan’s pickup truck. I join them for a few minutes but soon decide that a soft bed makes more sense at this time of night.

Morning, Friday June 13. All hands on deck and you better not spend too much time in the bathrooms because there is a whole bunch of folks waiting in line. Ryan’s 8:30AM graduation ceremony is at the Cricket Auditorium near downtown Charlotte and our army of 24 cheering family and neighbors gladly add to the noise.

There are 425 kids due to walk across this stage today but my mind is back in the Forreston, Illinois, gym in 1961 at my own graduation. Only 46 of us made that walk that night but it seems like yesterday. Dave Waack and I walked together and I can still feel the intense concentration of keeping in step. (Three days later I walked another aisle and got married, the beginning of my beloved five.) Now my mind shifts forward 19 years to that same Forreston Gym and I am watching my firstborn, Larry, stroll across the stage. In the next few years Lori, Cindy, Sandi, and Randy follow him. There is a lump in my throat and my nose prickles as the memories wash over me.

The music is louder now and the 2008 graduates are ready to claim their rewards for all those years of studying. Such a proud and exciting time for these kids. So much potential is stored under those black mortarboards and yellow tassels! Our crew cheers as Ryan walks across the stage to accept his diploma. I think of the phone call the day he was born in Texas and tears of emotion well in my heart. Now our little Ry-Guy is an adult and ready for college.

The rest of the day continues much the same as last evening…..noise of a slew of little kids and the loving laughter of adults. Several people make party-fare runs to pick up a cake and some scrumptious pork bar-b-q and other goodies while the house is decorated with streamers and more goodies are prepared. At 6PM the party starts as Ryan’s Aunt Jill and Uncle Dave and their son from Richmond plus oodles of friends arrive to share in the joy of Ryan’s special day. There are 52 people in this house now and they all fit well. A wild soccer game is happening in the back lawn. One of Ryan’s gifts is a graduation hat constructed of 5 and 10 dollar bills. It is quite impressive and little cousin Miranda enjoys modeling it as cameras flash.

Morning dawns with sunshine. Larry’s three siblings (Sandi and her family left last evening.) deliver him to the airport for his trip home to New Hampshire and Jim and I head north toward Lynchburg after collecting our supply of hugs. Family love oozes from this proud mom and gramma’s heart. Thank you, my Jim, for making it possible for me to attend this feast of love and memories. The older I get, the more important these memories become. I am so blessed!