Today’s Mom Tears™ are brought to you by “What about graduation?” And “Caps and gowns are just a symbol” with special guest “You’ve received so much more than a diploma”

Ok, I hear you, “It’s a special day, its not fair!!” Please insert the slamming of breaks and the inevitable sound of metal on metal.

I could go on a rant about how life is not fair, we are all in the same boat… Yada.  Yada. Yada.
I won’t do that.
I cannot do that.
Yep. You worked hard. (Maybe your kiddo is graduating by the skin of their teeth) Yes, it is a special day. It is the end of a journey, a mark in time, the first step into the next chapter…..
What if just for a moment you looked at this in a new light.
Everyone works hard at something. Whether they scrub the heck out of a toilet (even the base of it cause we all know boys miss the bowl…sorry guys, but you do) or tackle complex formulas discovering cures for disease. Both people go home at the end of the day feeling accomplished. I can almost guarantee there is no cake, no time spent getting a special outfit. BUT they are each equally proud and rightfully so! What if this years lack of pomp and circumstance teaches us that there is no point in waiting for someone else to dictate to you when your milestones should take place? What if your proudest moment during your educational journey was not the “Big day” but the time you made a new friend? Helped someone else with their work? Had that awesome light bulb moment where it all finally made sense???

Can I ask you something?

Why didn’t you have cake then? Why didn’t you take the five extra minutes to pick out something special to wear….Why are you saving it? Did you feel ripped off because your name wasn’t called out and a room full of strangers clapped?

I may be way off here but my proudest moments of the person I am,  the person I am becoming are the quiet times no one knows about. The times I did the right thing without anyone seeing. The only stage to walk across was the one of my life. And who am I trying to kid….I always make time for cake as for the clapping if I walk briskly my thighs usually provide the applause needed…even at inappropriate times.

I believe that what all kiddos / adults who are graduating as well have received something far more valuable than a diploma. This year, wow this year the graduates have learned resilience. They have learned that big moments in life are in fact often the small moments that make us wonderful. A large group is nowhere near as important as the group who sticks with you from beginning to end. The world stood still they kept learning, growing, dreaming. They learned that none of this can be taken away.
Believe me this years grads are going to change the world.

Without applause.

Without a big moment telling them they have done it.

Without the fuss.

Without participation awards.

With the feeling of self pride.

With the determination to succeed when no one is watching.

With the knowledge that the biggest moments are in fact the smallest.

HOPEFULLY….

With the smarts enough to realize that today is a cake worthy day, that today is reason enough to wear the sparkly shoes, the over the top outfit, that the paper in hand does not make you a good person.

You’ve gotta go through it to get to it ❤

You’ve done it<3

You can take on what ever it is that is next<3

I’m proud of all the little steps that brought you here<3

❤ Leigh
©2020