Friday, May 30, 2014

level three graduation :o)

Last day at Blessed Sacrament.

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

40 comments:

  1. Hey,

    I 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

    ReplyDelete
  2. 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:32 AM

      well said I agree 100%
      Maryjo

      Delete
  3. Anonymous9:28 AM

    Oh, Katie girl, you are so pretty!

    Sophia 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

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous9:28 AM

    At my son's wedding three years ago, my mantra was "this is a HAPPY day" "this is a HAPPY day"

    ReplyDelete
  5. My 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.)

    But 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

    ReplyDelete
  6. 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous3:53 PM

      Oh Wendy, you made me laugh!
      jep

      Delete
  7. Pretty much impossible not to cry, Donna......just sayin'.....

    (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 ~@~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes. Little tears. Fine.
      Blubbering. Embarrassing to the max.

      Delete
  8. 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

    ReplyDelete
  9. My 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.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Don'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.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ooh, one tip: wear your sunglasses!

    Be happy and enjoy the moment.

    P.S. I like Cheryl' s idea about sipping something. Chai??

    ReplyDelete
  12. Amy J in WI10:28 AM

    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....."

    ReplyDelete
  13. I 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!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sweet! Congrats, Katie.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous10:54 AM

    I'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...

    I 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. (((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.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:00 PM

      Oh, dear Mary E. Prayers for you and your son. (((Hugs)))

      Mary Z

      Delete
    3. Blessings on you, Mary E. Resting in Jesus is a good place to be.

      Di

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:50 AM

      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
      love and prayers, jep

      Delete
    5. Praying for you mary e. <3

      Delete
  16. Don'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

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous11:17 AM

    I am a crying fool!
    Kristi in LV

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous11:58 AM

    I'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!

    Best 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

    ReplyDelete
  19. I think tears are like gas. If you don't let them out, they'll give you a gut ache. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. {{{LOVE LOVE LOVE}}}

      Delete
    2. Anonymous4:00 PM

      {{{LIKE}}}
      Of course, I had to look up the meaning of QOTD and I agree.
      jep

      Delete
    3. Stephie...you make me laugh!

      Di

      Delete
  20. Congratulations to dear Katie!

    The 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.

    ReplyDelete
  21. 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.
    who knows
    :-)
    Janice

    ReplyDelete
  22. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous5:15 PM

    Enjoy 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!
    love and prayers,
    jep

    ReplyDelete
  24. Such sweet friends and sage advice. Made me a little teary. How'd it go?

    ReplyDelete
  25. Congratulations, Katie! You are a beautiful young lady!

    How did it go Donna? Did you cry?

    ReplyDelete

Hello. So nice to see you. Would you like to leave a comment? Be very kind.