It’s 12:36am, and I really should be in bed.
I do, after all, have to sub in seven hours.
However, I am still decompressing from the highlight of the school year…
Chicky’s graduation…
But let’s back up a bit.
A lot of stuff happened before the cap-throwing moment shown above.
First off, Chicky got up and went for a run. She’s working out every day to get in shape for college soccer.
Afterward, she went to the pool to cool off and relax.
I ran errands, getting $29.95 worth of BBQ pulled pork for free and two cans of shaving creme for $1.02.
Cha Ching!
The day progressed…Chicky did the usual girlie things to get ready for the event that would mean lots of photo ops. She straightened her hair and dressed up.
Of course, what graduation is complete without a little drama.
I had a breakdown, and no, it was not a “I’m sad because my precious child is graduating and leaving home soon” kind of cry.
No, it was just my usual self, having a melt-down after being stressed. Chicky tends to pick up on my stress, and between the two of us, there are fireworks when I’m in this kind of mood.
I got “emo,” as the kids like to call it, had a good cry, and called a friend (thank you, Rabbitrescuer).
Then, I pulled up my big girl panties, wiped the tears from my eyes, and fixed grilled cheese sandwiches for my nephews, who had just driven in with Super Sis, Super D, and my mom.
I left home early to get in line at the stadium, and I learned a lesson.
When Rooster graduates, I’m leaving an hour earlier. The line snaked away from the stadium through the parking lot.
Chicky’s best friend met me there, and when administrators made an announcement that they were opening a side gate, we made a run for it. She later confessed to Chicky that I was leading the way (Chicky figured I had been left in the dust).
See, I knew where I wanted to sit.
I’d done my homework…scoped out the land and knew how things would be set up.
Plus, I needed to save a mere 14 seats.
Yeah.
It got a little ugly.
It’s one thing to save two or three seats, but quite another to save two entire rows of a football stadium.
I emptied out my purse/knitting bag of everything imaginable to represent bodies, and then BFF and I guarded our spots.
Finally, the rest of the family arrived, and we began stretching out, as more members of the group arrived.
Now, graduations should be happy times. We’re all happy for each other, right?
Some lady must have eaten something that did not agree with her, because she gave Coupon Queen, who is among the sweetest, most Southern ladies around, a hard time!
The woman did not want our stadium seats to knock into her legs, and she demanded we leave the seats in front of her vacant.
For real? This is like church. You cram together, and you don’t complain.
Well, as I later found out, the woman went so far as to accuse Coupon Queen of acting like a kindergartner.
Real mature, eh?
To his credit, the woman’s husband seemed embarrassed and was most apologetic.
Nevertheless, I moved my party slightly over.
Anyhoo…
We kept ourselves busy, admiring the setup on the field…
Finally, at 7:30, the seniors lined up, waiting to take the field…
The speeches were short and light-hearted, which surprised my crew, who expected much more serious words of wisdom. The graduates sat politely…
Finally, we got to the part of the program that offered my main reason for being there…to hear my Chicky’s name called out.
As she lined up, I got my camera ready…
And then, just as her name was called, a man who had been sitting near me, got up and walked right in FRONT of me!!!!
I could see him coming, and as I recorded, I said, “No, no, no…”
But yes, yes, yes. He sure did. Blocked my view, got me disoriented, and when I tried to resume filming, I lost momentum.
Or rather, I lost my Chicky.
But it took me a half a minute to realize it.
In the meantime, I started filming the wrong child.
I followed a girl all the way down the stage’s stairs, and when I saw her shoes, I realized my error.
Chicky had purchased high wedges for the event. This girl had dark flats.
I heard myself exclaim over my mistake (and the video clearly captures my oopsies).
I tried to find her, panning over the students, before finally, finally spying her, coming back my way…toward her seat on the field.
All was not lost.
People, seriously, check around you before getting up during a ceremony like this. Make sure it’s not a bad time for someone else. Throw up in your shoe of you must, but do not, I repeat, do not cross in front of a mama with a camera when her baby is about to cross the stage at graduation.
Consider yourself warned.
After the names were called, a couple more short speeches were given, and then the class sang the alma mater for the last time, gathering together in front of the stage…
And then it was over.
We found Chicky and took a couple of family pictures before saying our goodbyes to Super Sis and her crew.
Then, I played the part of Chicky’s Personal Photographer and followed her around, snapping photos with this friend and that friend (and her back, just for fun)…
I had wanted a semi-profile shot for the blog, but she wasn’t cooperating. Instead, I got you a full-on back view of her graduation cap hair. See the line across the back? heehee
We ended our evening by eating at Bonefish Grill…
The food and service (even at the late 10pm hour) were wonderful.
Chicky is, at this moment (of writing, that is) at Project Graduation. This is the safer alternative the school provides for seniors…instead of having them attend graduation parties after. The school buys and gets donated goods to give out as prizes throughout the night. It’s like a lock-in. The doors lock at 12pm and runs until 5am. If the kids leave, they’re done for the night. But, there’s incentive to stay later as the best prizes are handed out right before the party is over.
Chicky is hoping for a good prize…maybe a mini-fridge or a television set.
I’m headed to bed. I will be subbing for the Senior class sponsor, who is actually working Project Graduation, and I will have three Spanish classes to tend to.
I’m afraid my hola will be spoken in a tired, but happy way.
Oh, and for the record, I did not cry during the ceremony. I had no desire to! It truly was a light-hearted, fun event. Plus, after my pitty party earlier, I was cried-out.
Just thought I’d share.
Filed under: children | Tagged: child rearing, graduation, teenagers | 3 Comments »
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