Let us Commence(ment)

com·mence·ment /kəˈmensm(ə)nt/

noun

1. a beginning or start.
“at the commencement of training”

2. NORTH AMERICAN a ceremony in which degrees or diplomas are conferred on graduating students.
“a commencement address”

For me—growing up—commencement always seemed to be an end. While I understood what the word truly meant, it still felt like an end. Think about it for a second. The Commencement Address of a graduation is after all the work is done to graduate. That’s it. That’s really the only justification I have for that odd thought of mine. You’re just going to have to accept it and come along for the ride.

So, again, while I always knew that to commence something meant it was to begin, it also has always had a little tag-a-long of “the end”. And, recently, it did one more time.

I had intended to write this post a few weeks ago. But clearly, I didn’t. I then decided to post it last week. Again, clearly, I didn’t. As a result, it’s now here. A little jumbled in my head still, but it is working its way out. The beginning and end.

Not too long ago my youngest graduated high school—something I was very excited about. She had some rough points—like many children do—but she stuck it out and got it done. This is a big deal. Her friend group in high school has been her friend group for many years. They also happened to be her church friend group. And her neighborhood friend group. All great kiddos. Things really worked out well.

As a father, it always made me very happy to see any of them come to our door. To see my daughter get picked up and dropped off by them. To hear about the activities they were taking part in. …All the fun they were having. It did my heart good to know that she had people she could count on. Now, that’s not to say they didn’t have their moments. They did. However, they found ways to work through them and resolve them. So many good lessons learned.

With all of my children, there were campouts. Some involved my participation on a larger scale. And some required less involvement. Nevertheless, I got to be there. With my first and last children, the time I spent with their campouts had to do more with what I was available for (due to employment) and what they wanted me for. Fortunately for me, my daughters were happy to have me along. With my middle two, well, it was kinda the same thing. However, the girl’s campouts usually were for a few days and ended on the weekend. The boys were usually at a time when I was more free to attend. (seasonal stuff) Regardless, I enjoyed every bit of time with them.

Last week was my last Young Women’s Camp with my daughter. I got to see her and all her same-age buddies be the Youth Leaders and help all the younger girls. The Youth Leaders did amazing! I got to see these young ladies that I have known for so long perform in very mature roles. They handled all their responsibilities in their own unique ways. None of the first-year girls felt left out or awkward. All of the ones in between were sad to see the oldest ones go. It was an awesome experience to be part of.

What’s this got to do with anything? Your guess is as good as mine.

If I were to label it, I would say that this is more reflective if anything. My wife and I are at a point where when we are making plans, it’s for the two of us. Not, the six or five or four or five or three or five of us. I know what I wrote. My youngest is at the stage where she is trying to figure out “what’s next?”. Which I get. After I graduated high school, it was off to MCRD (Marine Corps Recruit Depot). My future had a next step. After that, well… So, yeah. I understand her trepidation.

So, this is Commencement. This is a beginning and an end. My youngest has done her last “youth” thing/event/activity/whatever. Officially. This summer was it. It is now time for her to move forward. As for me, my last parent of a “child” (under 18) thing/event/activity/whatever is also done. All my children are adults. Some have spouses and children of their own, some do not. I’m good with that. I am not complaining at all about that. I get to be Grumps! (my official grandparent title—of which I love)

No, this is just one of those “Huh, where did the time go?” sort of things. Life continues to move forward whether or not we are ready. Coming up is another semester of teaching at the University (which I love doing). And possibly another year helping at one of the local middle schools (I never know for certain until closer to the start of the school year—although it is more than likely). I have stuff coming up. My wife has some potential shifting of staff and responsibilities that have been presented to her, at her work. Yeah, we got stuff happening. My daughter is taking a moment in time for herself—to stabilize. And, I’m good with it all.

Life is happening. To quote Ferris Bueller (1986, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

It’s true. This post was not meant to be taken as a complaint. It was reflective. Some things have ended, and others begun… Life has been pretty good to me. I am grateful. If this is your first time stopping by, feel free to look around. If you’re a returning reader, feel free to look around. Now, I have lesson preparations to make, so, until next time.