Really. Graduating from eight grade is not a big deal.
College and High School. They are bigger deals.
But the students from Katie's school have been there since kindergarten. That's a long time at one school. So the staff really make it special.
Tonight is the graduation. I think I will be fine at this.
But this morning as the 8th graders leave the building the whole school lines up and gives the big kids a huge send off.
This chokes me up to even think about it.
I do not want to cry.
I do not want to cry.
I do not want to cry.
How do you stop yourself from breaking out into big sobs when you are in public?
That is my question on this graduation day.
Do you want to know what I told Katie as her big advice on her last day of school?
"Don't fall and break your teeth."
Thanks dad.
Happy Friday.
Send me pointers to hold in the tears.
Encourage one another,
Donna
Hey,
ReplyDeleteI got nothing. As far as tears go. Sometimes you gotta feel the feels and let the tears just come
But at the same time, I imagine it would be easy to weep with a huge smile on your face because:
She has done it! YAY Katie!!
It's surely been a great bunch of teachers,
And ... You don't have to do the long drive anymore :-)
Hugs to you both
I know what you mean, Donna. When we left our oldest at college, ALL of us broke down uncontrollably and unexpectedly! Then someone said to me, "your emotions are a measure of the depth of your relationship." So I guess my advice is, don't worry about the tears. They are a measure of how you treasure Katie's school, her friends and teachers. The tears are really ok. They are your way of showing you love. Have a wonderful evening!
ReplyDeletewell said I agree 100%
DeleteMaryjo
Oh, Katie girl, you are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteSophia had her preschool graduation last Thursday night. Afterwards my mom and mother-in-law said they were surprised I didn't cry. I just tried not to put too much emotion into it and just be grateful in the moment. Oh, I'm not saying I'm tough because believe me I have ugly cries at home. : P
Good luck!
Sarah P. from Iowa
At my son's wedding three years ago, my mantra was "this is a HAPPY day" "this is a HAPPY day"
ReplyDeleteThis IS a happy day!
DeleteMy step-mother taught me how not to cry...push one of your thumb nails into the top of the other thumb. I guess it is a distraction technique, making you think about the discomfort instead of crying, but it always worked for me when I needed to talk to my dad about something (he could not handle tears, thus the lesson.)
ReplyDeleteBut I think it's okay to cry. Really, really okay.
Says the mom who is about to be done homeschooling. It better be okay to cry.
Love,
Di
I think crying at this time is more than appropriate. Just try crying softly and don't throw yourself at Katie as she walks down the farewell line. That would be embarrassing. :) And congratulations to mom and dad for reaching this milestone - there are many more to come!
ReplyDeleteHilarious!!!!
DeleteOh Wendy, you made me laugh!
Deletejep
Pretty much impossible not to cry, Donna......just sayin'.....
ReplyDelete(But when I'm really stressed, deep breathing does help to relax me. So perhaps that would help keep you at a gentle sweet cry rather than an out and out sobbing fest?)
Blessings,
Tammy ~@~
Yes. Little tears. Fine.
DeleteBlubbering. Embarrassing to the max.
bring a bottle of diet coke and sip it.... constantly. It works. I promise. For many years, I had a diet coke in my pocketbook... always. xoxo
ReplyDeleteMy oldest boy graduated from college, has his first job as a mechanical engineer, and has all his stuff packed and stacked in my living room to move out this weekend. I'll cry a few tears with you today.
ReplyDeleteDon't hold back the tears. I can't believe Katie is going to HS! I remember when she was just a wee little one. I too will be in tears as this evening Colleen gets pinned for completing the nursing program at Univ of Delaware. She then gets commissioned into the US Army as Second Lieutenant. Tomorrow morning she graduates. Time flies and so will my tears.
ReplyDeleteOoh, one tip: wear your sunglasses!
ReplyDeleteBe happy and enjoy the moment.
P.S. I like Cheryl' s idea about sipping something. Chai??
Happy Graduation to both Katie and Donna. Sniff....I remember when she started kindergarten. The time as flown, hasn't it? As far as holding back the tears, as Elsa sings, "Let it go, let it go, can't hold it back anymore....."
ReplyDeleteI am THE worst about this crying business. Awful really. I have found that if they are small tears, I can fight them off with a mint on my tongue. My aunt is a pyschotherapist and told me once that putting your tongue flat across the roof of your mouth can help calm anxiety...I think my mint trick is related to that somehow. I'm in a similar boat today -- saying goodbye our beloved school here in Austin. I cried all the way through the car pool line this morning...hoping to hold it together for pick up!!
ReplyDeleteSweet! Congrats, Katie.
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling the tears today, too, Donna. Mostly when I look at the pics of Katie, and I see her sweet smile and eyes. And now, how she's blossoming into a beautiful young woman. You are to be proud of all you've done for her, and with her. For all your children, Donna. You've got such a wonderful legacy...
ReplyDeleteI cry today, too, for my oldest son, who is rebelling. He just graduated, but only very resistantly walked with his class, and donned the cap and gown. He is not kind with his words or deeds, and is full of angst and anger. Unfortunately, I am the target, and while I know it's a time of transition, my heart can't help but be heavy and hurt by his actions. So, I will cry with you for what was, what is, and what will be...
So very grateful that my heart rests in Jesus. I"d be otherwise lost....
mary e. from wheaton
(((Mary))) trust me when I say I can understand truly how you feel. Thankful that I can lift you up to the Lord right now.
DeleteOh, dear Mary E. Prayers for you and your son. (((Hugs)))
DeleteMary Z
Blessings on you, Mary E. Resting in Jesus is a good place to be.
DeleteDi
Dear God who knows each of us in our innermost heart, please be with Mary and her son during this time. We know that "patient endurance attains all things" with You. In the name of Your Son our Savior, Jesus the Christ we pray. Amen
Deletelove and prayers, jep
Praying for you mary e. <3
DeleteDon't Hold Them In. Let ThEm Flow. You Will BE Glad O The Emotional Release. It Is Healthy. What's Up With The Capitals On My PhonE? sorry
ReplyDeleteI am a crying fool!
ReplyDeleteKristi in LV
Same here! And my kids look at me like I'm a nut. The waterworks start without warning. So, I guess I'd say just let them go. Don't do the ugly cry, though. Just the silent cry with the tears that run in your mouth and from your nose. You'll feel better without that huge lump in your throat.
DeleteI'm completely the wrong person for pointers on no tears, but I DO think trying not to fight them when they come is the best way to prevent the blubbering. Picture a few softly flowing tears and you dabbing delicately at your eyes. Nothing wrong with that picture!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck tonight! It must be emotional to have such a long relationship -- with the school, teachers and classmates -- come to an end. Bravo on a job well done, sweet Katie! God bless you!
Mary Z
I think tears are like gas. If you don't let them out, they'll give you a gut ache. :)
ReplyDeleteQOTD!
Delete{{{LOVE LOVE LOVE}}}
Delete{{{LIKE}}}
DeleteOf course, I had to look up the meaning of QOTD and I agree.
jep
Stephie...you make me laugh!
DeleteDi
Congratulations to dear Katie!
ReplyDeleteThe problem with tears is that you can't *make* yourself cry this afternoon and drain the reservoir so it's empty tonight.
I think the best thing is to restrict nostalgic thoughts until you are in a safe place to cry. We moms are reviewing the swift passage of time, the sweet memories, feeling proud of the child walking by us.
It might help to remember the student's viewpoint: I'm done! Hooray! Let's party! They won't be crying.
Not saying it has worked for me, but I'm told that if you flex your buttox...you know your bum cheeks, you can't cry. Just thinking about it makes me laugh so maybe thats what helps.
ReplyDeletewho knows
:-)
Janice
No advice... it's harder for me to hold back tears at sentimental events than at sad ones. I've had an empty nest for years and I still cry. I still miss my children, when they were little, when they were teens and older. I don't miss the rebellions or clashes over boys or girls and clothes. I love who they are today and I love my grandchildren, but I still cry! No one who knows me would think of me as a crier but I am... a closet crier who can't keep it in the closet at these events. I foresee gentle tears on your cheeks Ms. Booshay! Gentle tears!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the moment and take pictures, please! You don't have to share here (altho. we all enjoy them if you want to share) and it might help you not to cry. God bless and be with you each one!
ReplyDeletelove and prayers,
jep
Such sweet friends and sage advice. Made me a little teary. How'd it go?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Katie! You are a beautiful young lady!
ReplyDeleteHow did it go Donna? Did you cry?