Graduation season

Thanks to my ginger friend, I added two more things to my to-do list, post-production, and crossed them off. I made a graduation card and gift for my granddaughter, who ends her high-school career Saturday.

This gift project is a Pinterest fail on my part. Sort of. I still have to make a graduation cap out of black cardstock for the lid, but that isn't the fail part.

The tiny scrolls (rolled-up money and parchment tied with a ribbon) were supposed to be rolled around the Smarties. I forgot that part. I went to considerable effort to find a bag of Smarties for the project, but then neglected to use them. So I'm going to put them in the gift bag – she is smart – and explain my mistake. Because I'm NOT unrolling all those tiny scrolls and redoing the gift. She would totally understand.

I hope.

Commencement is Saturday evening and her party is Sunday. I'm heading out in the morning and will be driving home Monday, while THE REST OF THE COUNTRY is celebrating … my birthday. Heh.

I'll be taking Ruby Tuesday up on their free birthday burger offer. It's one of the best birthday deals out there: a free burger, up to $9 value, no strings attached. Don't have to buy another one, all you have to do is sign up to receive the offer.

Of course if you don't care for Ruby Tuesday, don't bother, but it's one of my favorite spots, especially when I'm traveling.

I didn't work on the Keynote project yesterday, and won't have time again until next week. I mowed after I walked yesterday, and I have a meeting this afternoon. The laundry is already done, so I'll pack before dinner and then collapse. And most likely not sleep very well, since that's pretty much how I roll when I'm anticipating something.

I hope you all have a great weekend, doing fun stuff, relaxing, kicking off summer and remembering those who gave their lives so you can enjoy an extra day off. Seriously … Memorial Day is more about auto sales and picnics than honoring those who died in service. Why, back in my day we called it Decoration Day, and took fresh peonies to the cemetery to put on graves.

Not really, but I do remember my grandmother saying that last sentence. ACK! I'm turning into my grandmother! Get off my lawn, you whippersnapper!

And have a good weekend.

Being there

You can gracefully decline invitations to some events. There may be certain parties you'd rather not go to, some reunions that aren't so meaningful, date nights where you'd really rather be alone.

Your daughter's law school graduation ceremony?

You want to be there. Trust me.

My daughter, the lawyer.
She takes the bar in February.

She wasn't even sure she wanted to be there, but after all was said and done, after the processional and the speeches and the, well, the pomp and circumstance of it all, she was happy to have the memories.

And so were all of us who were with her.

She graduated third in her class, and was asked to stand for special recognition with the others in the top 10 percent.

She spent four years taking classes (and tests!) at a nontraditional law school, with classmates who, like her, worked during the day, had families and friends and responsibilities outside of school. Some major MAJOR life events happened during her years of study. Events that might have derailed a woman with less energy, determination and grit.

She's truly an inspiration and a role model, not just for her children, but for all of her family and friends.

I drive between seven and eight hours when I visit my daughter and her family. I go twice a year, in January and June, and in the past have always attended performances by her children. I'm going to miss both of the recitals this year – a law-school graduation trumps a winter dance concert, and my granddaughter's high-school graduation will happen one week before spring recital.

My grandchildren have assured me they'd rather have me here for graduations than for performances.

You can gracefully decline invitations to some events. 

But you really ought to be there for others.