What a week! On Monday she had her prom. She was indeed the 'lady in red' with her red gown, black gloves. The sky was overcast but not a drop of rain fell. We all met at the city's Public Gardens to see a swarm of gowns and tuxes. Three schools had their proms that day. The sun even poked through as if to voice approval and express the joy all the parents were feeling. We watched as all the friends gathered together for hugs, pictures and tears. (I had had a dentist appointment earlier in the day and one side of my face was frozen, which made my smile extremely 'odd', and I was relieved that by the time the pics were taken, that my face had evened out)
At the ballroom of the hotel where their prom was held, we gathered to watch the special dance. (Moms with sons, and daughters with Dads). Then the night was theirs to dance away. I came home and caught a few moments sleep because I was throwing Shelene and her friends a party after the prom. When they finally started filing through the door, it was very clear these ladies and gents were partied out. I fixed up many a blister (everyone had at least one). They spent the night laughing and gathered in one room talking over old times. For once - I could hear over the music!
The days that followed were 'to do' days. Thursday was THE day, and it began at 7am. We were all at the arena by 8:30am. A bagpiper was on hand - very nice touch. When I saw Shelene in her gown and cap, I grabbed her with a mom's hug and then looked in her eyes and told her just how very proud of her I am to be her mom, and that she'd done an excellent job. For some perspective here, Shelene missed a whole semester this year due to problems with drugs. We all went into counselling and got it together. My lil sunshine worked hard to graduate in two semesters.
Hugs were also given to her friends as we passed, and even to the girls who were already sobbing at the experience who I didn't know.
The procession was led by the bagpiper and the key speech was given by the CO of Singapore Airlines. 9/11 was a big theme at the grad as we were a community priviledged to make thousands of stranded passengers feel at home. At Shelene's school, they housed 204 passengers. That's exactly how many grads there were. His speech helped them realize that they had already touched lives around the world, and urged them to continue doing that throughout their lives, that community is now on a global scale.
Diploma time! When Shelene walked across the stage to accept her diploma, did the turn, I saw the biggest smile on her face and her sister and I stood up and whooped and hollared. (there was alot of that) Their dad was in charge of all the pics since photography is his hobby. Unfortunately, the grads were not allowed outside with their gowns on or to throw their caps in the air, safety issue. (growl, grumble) They had to turn the gowns in to get their grades. That evening the grads went on a harbour cruise and had a candlelight ceremony at the school that had even the jocks crying.
It feels odd now. Even Shelene says that it won't hit her until September. Her friends are all going to universitys here in the city, or working in the area. Shelene will upgrade her sciences and is thinking of Nursing. I told her that I don't care what she does (so long as it's legal) and that she is happy and feels good about herself. My support is a given.
I will need someone's help here when I do get the pics, as I have never posted pics on the web before, and I definitely am going to show my princess off! Let me know if you can help me with this.... pleeeeeeze.
We are one very tired family, and I AM ONE VERY PROUD MOM!
Mimilly