My youngest grandchild, and the only girl, Marie, just graduated from Eighth Grade. She came back home two hours later a High School Freshman. It was magic really!

Mostly because the Covid rules only allowed two people to actually attend the ceremony. So Gramps and I, and all the other relatives were watching the streaming service. Which, in fact, was not working, so no one saw anything!

Can I tell you now how frustrated we were?! We drove for twelve hours, brought a gift, got dressed up, sat around a computer screen in dining chairs. All to see NOTHING!!!!!

Marie simply walked out the front door as an Eighth Grader and came back a Freshman. I’m not sure if the school band played “Pomp and Circumstance”. I’m not sure if Marie processed in and sat in alphabetical order. I’m not sure if she proudly walked across the stage, accepted her diploma and shook the Principal’s hand. I’m not sure if anything traditional happened.

I am sure I went with her the morning of graduation to get her hair done. We spent a wonderful time in the salon discussing many things, from the way the world is to the way the world should be. Priceless!

I am sure I saw her before she left in her new dress, new shoes, shawl and new hairdo. All the family told her how wonderful she looked and she was beaming as she departed with her parents for the ceremony.

I am sure all the family met her after the graduation for a dinner for twelve. The new Freshman sat at the head of the table, while gifts, cards, balloons and congratulations were sent her way. Her smile was almost as big as the table.

I am sure Marie knew she was loved and adored by all her family. I know she felt our pride in her.

And that is the most important thing.

I am sure we saw the best parts of the graduation, after all.