Thursday, June 2, 2022

Closing Time

Last night was our last senior awards ceremony and the last event we will attend at the high school as parents. I was a tad wistful, but my overall feelings were of pride, excitement and gratitude. Pride because we have given our lovely Lily strong, healthy roots. Excitement because she has earned her wings. Gratitude for the community of top-notch educators, devoted coaches, willing mentors and her tribe of peers. Et didicit, quae fun, illa deductim. She learned, she had fun, she graduated with distinction.

She was recognized as a scholar athlete and she also received a pride award as captain of the golf team. I am proud of her on many levels, and also of her classmates, after all, I have watched so many of them literally grow up.

I kept hearing that notable Semisonic line: Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end. That's the happysad. The bittersweet. Admittedly, more happy and sweet.

We got home at 9 o'clock freezing (the ceremony was on the football field this year) and starving. Teddy was wrestling with the dough. He managed to roast garlic, pan fry the sausage and habaneros and wilt the broccolini for his much talked about and anticipated homemade pizzas. Mike got to rolling, I uncorked a chianti and started on dish duty, and Ted doctored up the pies that were as delicious as promised. I sat at the island and felt a surge of whole body happiness for this family, this life we have created.

And while things are changing, with Ted leaving for Chicago in days and both kids out of the house this fall, I am content knowing that this house will always be their home and this family will always be their safe place...their foundation...their heart.


 


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