A Lilac a Day, Day Four

There's just something about this time of year. I love riding my bike and then all of a sudden being enveloped by the overwhelming scent of lilacs. After a breath or two, it's gone...

A Lilac a Day, Day Three

Another variety of lilacs just starting to open. We've had a late, dry spring so I thought, for sure, the lilacs would be late this year. Nope, they're actually opening a few days earlier than they did in 2022.

A Lilac a Day, Day Two

I just love these pinkish lilacs.  Some lilacs, like these, have a very strong fragrance while others barely smell at all.

A Lilac a Day, Day One

The lilacs, up the hill, are just starting to open. It's usually a little cooler down close to the water, to those lilacs usually open a smidge later.

Graduation: Mackinac Style

I may be a wee bit biased, but I have to say Mackinac Island's Commencement ceremony is pretty unique. With such small classes, the principal can share personal stories about each graduate. (Four students graduated this year.) She told each of them why she would remember them, and let them know that she put her cell phone number inside their card. She told them that she would be there to help and support them, in any way she could. It was so much more personal than the graduates simply walking across the stage. The personal relationships teachers are able to build with students on Mackinac Island is really quite special.

After the ceremony the students stood in a receiving line so all the guests could congratulate them. Then the kids and their families headed over to Grand Hotel's Secret Garden for photographs. 

Have you ever seen a more beautiful place for graduation photos? The photos don't do the garden justice; the smell of grape hyacinths was just incredible. The hotel's photographer took pictures of the kids together and then stayed and took family portraits. Saturday morning we discovered not only did Grand Hotel donate the photographer, but we were gifted all the digital images! What an amazing surprise.

Sunday morning the celebration continued on a Sip n' Sail cruise aboard the Isle Royal Queen III. The Class of 2023 enjoyed food, music, friends, and family as they cruised through the Straits of Mackinac. (Again, donated by our incredibly supportive community.)  It was a delightful way to spend a Sunday morning!

 

The weekend was full of love and support for these boys who are ready to go out and make their mark on the world.

This weekend also happened to be the one year anniversary of my dad's death. As my husband and I thought of how to best honor my father, we decided to do what we thought he would have wanted us to do, which was to celebrate his grandson; to make the graduate the center of attention. I can grieve for my father any day, but S gets one high school graduation. I don't believe my dad would want his grandson's special day overshadowed by sadness and grief. 

So, in that spirit, I share this goofy photo from Thanksgiving, 2012. 

Today

 Today you become a high school graduate.

The past 18 years have been a blur -

a loud, colorful, fabulous blur.

Weren't you five, like yesterday?

To some people, graduation is an end, but I see it as a beginning; your adult life begins tomorrow. You've got the intelligence, the drive, and the skills to shape that life into anything your heart desires. Focus on your goals and work toward achieving them, because the life you envision for yourself won't just happen; it has to be crafted. I know, you've got this...

Your dad and I will be here, if you need us, and trust me - you will still need us occasionally, and that's OK. If you don't need us, that's OK, too, but we'll still be here cheering you on.  Try to remember through all of the craziness of this weekend my tears aren't tears of sadness. Of course, I will miss you next year, but moving on is what you are supposed to do; I'm not in the least bit sad to see you go off to college. I'm thrilled at the thought of you heading off to Northern Michigan University. 

Know that we are incredibly proud of you and how hard you've worked to arrive at this moment.  And remember when I am crying, uncontrollably, don't worry about me; I'm just overwhelmed with feelings of pride, joy, and unconditional love for you.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow you finish high school. 

I remember that day; you were wide-eyed with wonder and excited about each new experience.  You were unapologetically true to yourself and were not about to compromise about the face painting style you wanted. Even at seven, you weren't afraid to be yourself, and I've always admired that about you. I was proud of you then and I am so proud of the man you have grown into.

Three Days

Only three more days until you walk across that stage  and get your diploma. Wasn't it only yesterday that you were taking your first walks around our neighborhood? Where did the time go?

Four Days

Four days until your adorable little bucket hat gets replaced by a mortarboard.

Five Days

Five days until this guy graduates from high school. 

It's hard to believe it's been 18 years since you came into our lives; early, but healthy. 

18 years since my Grandma Mary told my mom there was an emergency and that she needed to fly home from Malta that same day. (For the record, I was on "limited mobility" and not allowed to be more than ten minutes away from the hospital, but the emergency return to the States was really for my grandmother's benefit.) 

18 years since the overwhelming joy at your arrival after years of trying and a miscarriage.

It's hard to believe there are only five days left until you are a high school graduate...

Tulips!

One of the most iconic signs of spring on Mackinac Island is the bed of tulips growing in front of Grand Hotel. Lots of tourists don't realize that all those beautiful bulbs are used for a single year. Well, by Grand Hotel, that is. You see, after they are pulled out and thrown on the hotel's compost pile, locals (like me) bring them home. No sense letting them go to waste, right?

Lovely

Spring arrives later on Mackinac Island than it does most places, but when it finally gets here, it's worth the wait.

Spring

May arrived on Mackinac, as it often does, with a chilly rain. I tried not to let it dampen my spirits and instead I focused on the flowers that have started to pop up. No tulips yet, just a few crocuses, snowdrops, and daffodils.

I'm told that because crocus has a Latin origin that croci is also grammatically correct, but croci just doesn't sound right to me...