We spent last weekend in central Indiana, so that we could see my youngest sister’s first child graduate from high school. Can we say “Empty Next Syndrome” here?
I know that Nan still has one chick at home, but it’s hit her, big time, that her girls are almost grown and ready to fledge. My niece, who does not have a pseudonym here, was Band Captain this past year, so I’m going to call her BC for now.
We have been traveling to Indiana for Christenings, to take Elegante Mother to Grandparent’s Day, and for soccer games and dance recitals. For the past three or four years, we have followed the band to regional and state performances, so it only seemed right to go for commencement, too.
We left unusually early Friday morning, so we could take the route that goes through all the farmland. I dislike Interstate 80 where it flows across the top of Indiana so much that I’d rather add an hour to my trip than take 80. We arrived at Nan’s around two o’clock. The change in time zones adds an hour to the eastward trip.
We hugged, sat in the sun room and chatted, and had a sumptuous dinner with the family. By 8:00 I figured it would be a good idea to get settled in the hotel, so we took off for the evening.
Saturday morning, Nan had a wonderful breakfast for us, and we spent some time preparing fruit and veggies that would be set into trays for the open house. We all piled into one car and headed for the high school. Nan’s youngest daughter was taking the SAT test and would join us at the gym.
Traditionally, graduating seniors who have been band members are given the chance to conduct the band prior to commencement. We arrived, bringing a brown hat with us. BC slipped it on (along with her pale blue graduation robe), and a cheer when up from the band. She’d chosen to conduct the theme from Indiana Jones! *G* I can’t begin to tell you how proud I was to see her conducting!!! She’s one of a small number of my younger relatives who have chosen to participate in instrumental music, and on top of that, she was first chair clarinet, the instrument I played in school.
Graduation was wonderful. BC’s boyfriend got pictures of her coming in and walking forward to receive her diploma, and then it was over and we were running for the car in the rain! I still need to hold back the sniffles when I think about it, and she isn’t even MY CHICK!! Nan…sorry if it sounded as though I was teasing you, when you called, miserable with empty-nester’s. I can empathize now!
The open house was incredible! If it couldn’t move, it was decorated, and there was food EVERYWHERE! There was an entire room with memories of school, pictures, and mementos. Nan put together a number of scrapbooks that showed BC’s life year by year. It’s amazing that Nan knew from the start that she needed to collect things that would be important twelve years later. She’s done it for both girls. I can’t wait to see the next set of scrapbooks!
We stayed and ate, and chatted well into the evening. We met some of BC’s classmates and friends. Some of her teachers visited, and I believe the pastor was there. The skies had cleared just after commencement and we sat out on the deck at dusk visiting. EM was exhausted, so we finally said our goodbyes around 9:00.
Sunday, we returned to have brunch with the family. I needed to sew a label onto a lap quilt that I’d given to BC. I started it years ago…She says it was TEN years ago. I’d like to think it was only eight, or so…. At any rate, I gave her the quilt in April, but I’d singed the label and had to make another. It was pleasant sitting in the sun room, chatting with the family, and enjoying all the pets, while I worked.
And, as all things must, or visited ended Sunday morning. We needed to start home so that we could make it to an Open House for one of my great nieces.
BC, we are so very proud of you. I’m excited about all the experiences you will have when you go to college this fall. I hope you love it as much as I did, and I won’t be unhappy at all if you choose to change your major to “Instrumental Music – Winds”!! Thanks for sharing your big day with us!