Friday, June 13, 2008

Class of '08

My son, the graduate. I couldn't even breathe until I heard his name being called and I watched him walk across the stage. This is his third graduation and each time I walked away with smudged mascara and a full heart. I looked back at his kindergarten graduation and his graduation from elementary school. Each time I was there to cheer him on. To let him know that I was in his corner.




He knows I'm always there no matter what. That's just how it's always been. He doesn't display any amount of disappointment when my ex doesn't show up for these celebrations. I guess he's never expected him to ... I'm not hatin' ... I'm just sayin'.

He's a good boy. I don't know how long I can get away with saying that. Saying "good man" just doesn't feel right. I'm sure he would disagree. He looked at me today and said, "Ma, we're both grown now!" I just rolled my eyes but I said nothing. I let him have his moment. I didn't want to tell him that he has no clue about being grown. He'll figure that out for himself soon enough.






I'm excited for him. There was such a feeling of hope in the auditorium as each student walked across the stage. I want that feeling to last for my son, and all the graduates. Although he may encounter many setbacks in his life, I don't want him to ever feel that he should give up. My life is marked with moments where I shrugged my shoulders and gave up. I'm kicking myself because I say that I'm just realizing what I want to do with my life, when in reality I knew in fifth grade that I wanted to be a writer. I didn't follow that dream for several reasons but my prayer is that my baby will stay focused and follow his dreams.

7 comments:

lyre said...

YES! I am so proud of him! sniff sniff

A.u.n.t. Jackie said...

i can't even imagine what it feels like to have your baby walk across the stage.

i was so cavalier when i graduated high school, not realizing what my parents must have been feeling in that moment.

hell my mom had just had a baby and my little brother was sitting in her lap in his little sailor suit.

its so wonderful to see yet another well raised black man enter the world of young adulthood

congrats to you and your son!

Blah Blah Blah said...

I just got all misty...Oldest walks the stage this time next year.
Sort of scares me...but I know I will be proud, just like you.

Congrats for raising a fine young MAN! :)

Believer said...

Congratulations to you both.

Even though you're dream was not realized, and still may not be fully, give yourself permission to dream and live it out. Passion is important!

Believer said...

"like when I published my novel"

Above is from your older post. It's all coming back to me now. Duh! You wrote a book, but perhaps another level of the dream is near. Fullness is yours!

LadyLee said...

Oh what a proud moment! I know you're still all misty eyed over it all!!

We may have not fulfilled our dreams, Chele, but we are HERE. Whether in thought or in action, we're one step closer, each and every day.

Rose said...

Chele what a handsome young man and I know you are very proud. That's a good feeling to see your child accomplish graduation.