Two moments in time.

The shadow

The shadow knows!
Wright Middle school yesterday :
At 2PM Rikki and I arrived the 8th grade class assembled.
The mayor gave a speech on public service. The principle spoke of the importance of continuing education .
Then to inspirational music the kids were called up and handed certificates of completion.
In time Ian was called. He came up Rikki and I followed to record the moment as most parents did he shook hands with the assistant principle. Then the princible. "Ian you were quite a handful but a good kid. Now become a great man. " Then the mayor who handed him his diploma. "What goal do you have young man?" Ian responded "I am going to be a marine like my grandpa " she smiled "Semper Fi no greater calling!"
And then the rest of the class.
We went from room to room saying good bye to his teachers. Most had good things to say. His history teacher had special praise that he took to the subject well.
And so my oldest son walks out of wright Middle school next stop memorial high school !
 

The shadow

The shadow knows!
And so it ends in Sept 2009 two girls entered K4. Since then there been sibling rivalry. Basketball , cheerleading. And so many other things. And today Is it. Your last day of high school. And tomorrow you graduate. The day have flown by. My little girls are gone replaced by strong confident women. They no longer need Rikki and I to tell them who they are and what they want. (Sometimes we don't know our selves.) It's a moment we prepared for. Now it's here.
 

The shadow

The shadow knows!
A whirlwind night of parties for the twins. I have no clue where they went and honestly they are adults now. But now we get ready for the future ..so proud !
 

The shadow

The shadow knows!
So many emotions. A day that I will always remember.
Each student was given a moment to say something
Kate: "Dad mom thank you for letting me be me. Blessed be!"
Debbie: Dad you always said treasure each moment. Because when it's gone it's gone I never understood that until now."
We made an appearance at a party and met many of their friends. It was a day I won't forget...it's strange I never met half of the kids they knew.
But I finally I ended up in my den I was lost in thought. My twins have grown up. And are ready to face the world
 

Rikki

High Priestess
I cannot add to what my husband said except at at the end of the ceremony when the principal asked them to turn their tassels to signify the turning from one phase of life to the next. I began to cry. and he said "congratulations class of 2022! one last time! who are we! " The crowd shouted "JMM!" then he said "class of 2022, Class dismissed!" and I lost it along with my husband who won't admit to losing it as well.
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say. JRR Tolkien
Kate and Debbie, it's your turn your time
Blessed be
Rikki
 

The shadow

The shadow knows!
IMG_20220808_161438329_HDR.jpgIMG_20220808_161734165_HDR.jpg
Kate toured the UW campus today. The enormity hit her. Collage ..and next week Debbie leaves for ohio state. Time to face the world...
 

The shadow

The shadow knows!
And so after 20 years Debbie left the nest to go to ohio state... It was a bittersweet moment. Filled with mixed feelings of sadness and hope for her future. As father I honestly did not want her to go but I did not stop her as I knew she needed to spend her wings to fly .to be her own person.
I have given her the best childhood I could. Think I did ok ..
 

The shadow

The shadow knows!
I guess it hit her when she stood for a moment by her bedroom door and before she left the house. "I should go before I change my mind." So many moments I don't think I will be anywhere near happy for the next few days.
 

michael59

Celestial
I guess it hit her when she stood for a moment by her bedroom door and before she left the house. "I should go before I change my mind." So many moments I don't think I will be anywhere near happy for the next few days.

I don't have kids, but I really loved my pets. One day, I was sitting on the couch and my mini yorkie was asleep at the other end. I started to think about the day before when we were out walking. She loved it when I would sing Mambo No. 5 to her. I would just replace her name with all the names of the girls in the song. She would perk right up and there would be an added little bounce in her step. Thinking about it made me smile.

Suddenly, I realized what I was doing and I reached over and scooped her up into my arms and said, "I'll save all those memories for when you're not here."

You've got 20+ years of memories to make you smile until you see her again at the Thanksgiving table. :wink:
 

The shadow

The shadow knows!
I don't have kids, but I really loved my pets. One day, I was sitting on the couch and my mini yorkie was asleep at the other end. I started to think about the day before when we were out walking. She loved it when I would sing Mambo No. 5 to her. I would just replace her name with all the names of the girls in the song. She would perk right up and there would be an added little bounce in her step. Thinking about it made me smile.

Suddenly, I realized what I was doing and I reached over and scooped her up into my arms and said, "I'll save all those memories for when you're not here."

You've got 20+ years of memories to make you smile until you see her again at the Thanksgiving table. :wink:
Thank you it's been a hard day for Rikki and me.
 

The shadow

The shadow knows!
On the shadow of Debbie leaving. We had freshman orientation for Ian today he met the schools baseball coach who invited him to try out in the spring. All was well until he met principle Matt Hendrickson. "Ian Watson! I heard a lot about you from wright!
Ian was like "good I hope sir!
The principle said "I don't know if fighting and having whiskey in your locker is good son. I won't tolerate that here!"
Ian fumbled for an apology
The principle then said " your sisters were exemplary students. I expect nothing less from you!"
All Ian could say was a stammered "yes sir.'
The principle held out his hand "welcome to memorial it will be heaven or hell your call Ian."
Ian shook hands with the principle " I will meet your expectations sir!"
 

Rikki

High Priestess
My eyes were the first to see her. my arms the first to hold her. and I was the last to hug her as she left on her journey. I wish I had moved sooner to help her along the way. I wish I could have seen the harm Brian was doing to her. I have so many regrets. But Debbie is stronger for her trials. stronger for having to face those adversities. My wonderful daughter is no longer a child. she is a strong self-assured woman. I talked to my mother. It was the same for her. Kate remains with us until she can afford a place. She has someone she wishes to start a life with. She feels she can't fully explore life with her partner until she is on her own.
As for Ian, I warned him that his antics would come back and bite him. and life goes on.
Blessed Be
Rikki
 

The shadow

The shadow knows!
Chris got his 1st look at wright middle school. Class registration and choosing electives. He chose stagecraft and astronomy . "Maybe I will be an actor! Or study the stars! I'm not sure yet! It's like choosing Capt crunch over froot loops!"
 

Rick Hunter

Celestial
On the shadow of Debbie leaving. We had freshman orientation for Ian today he met the schools baseball coach who invited him to try out in the spring. All was well until he met principle Matt Hendrickson. "Ian Watson! I heard a lot about you from wright!
Ian was like "good I hope sir!
The principle said "I don't know if fighting and having whiskey in your locker is good son. I won't tolerate that here!"
Ian fumbled for an apology
The principle then said " your sisters were exemplary students. I expect nothing less from you!"
All Ian could say was a stammered "yes sir.'
The principle held out his hand "welcome to memorial it will be heaven or hell your call Ian."
Ian shook hands with the principle " I will meet your expectations sir!"

"I will meet your expectations, sir!" Oh man, that could be a really good thing or really bad thing. I guess all I can say to him is, be yourself and don't try to impress others or live up their expectations. 'Cause in the end, you are the one who will bear the consequences good or bad. Use your brain and think before speaking or acting as much as possible. Be kind and polite to everyone but don't tolerate bullying or people trying to take advantage of you for a single second. Predators like easy prey so don't give them what they want. If he has ever been in trouble with the law, remember that when you turn 18 the judicial system takes the gloves off and one bad choice can destroy or cripple the rest of your life. So if that is the case, better address that right now before adult consequences set in. If he wants to join the Marines someday, junior ROTC would be a great choice. He would learn alot from it and they will hold him accountable more than the school would.

I'm saying all this because my high school years were terrible. I didn't follow these rules that I just listed and really messed myself up, now I have to carry those bad memories the rest of my life. When a conversation with other people turns to high school experiences, I don't have anything good to add and it's my own stupid fault. So be smart and use this time to figure out who you are and what you want to do with your life and work towards that goal.
 

The shadow

The shadow knows!
"I will meet your expectations, sir!" Oh man, that could be a really good thing or really bad thing. I guess all I can say to him is, be yourself and don't try to impress others or live up their expectations. 'Cause in the end, you are the one who will bear the consequences good or bad. Use your brain and think before speaking or acting as much as possible. Be kind and polite to everyone but don't tolerate bullying or people trying to take advantage of you for a single second. Predators like easy prey so don't give them what they want. If he has ever been in trouble with the law, remember that when you turn 18 the judicial system takes the gloves off and one bad choice can destroy or cripple the rest of your life. So if that is the case, better address that right now before adult consequences set in. If he wants to join the Marines someday, junior ROTC would be a great choice. He would learn alot from it and they will hold him accountable more than the school would.

I'm saying all this because my high school years were terrible. I didn't follow these rules that I just listed and really messed myself up, now I have to carry those bad memories the rest of my life. When a conversation with other people turns to high school experiences, I don't have anything good to add and it's my own stupid fault. So be smart and use this time to figure out who you are and what you want to do with your life and work towards that goal.
ROTC..I never considered it! I will talk to Ian. These days I seen a lot of change for him. Having a GF changed his mindset a lot. I'm teaching him as best I can. Odd thing is he liked his day at my work more than his day at the marine corps recruiting station
 

The shadow

The shadow knows!
The "summer of change " ended today. First samanthia at Lincoln elementary school. The summer brought souch good into her life. Chickens and a new pony at the grand parents farm. Crhis at wright looking forward to new friends and adventure.
I picked Anna up and Adam. Ian and his friends talked exited about memorial.
It was my turn to become wise . "Before you go do me a favor don't be in a hurry or a rush. Enjoy each day. You may not believe it now but these are the best years of your lives. Amd when their gone, they are gone. Ian you have an amazing opportunity don't blow it. Laugh cry enjoy! Anna I don't know you well but help him as you can. Adam I'm not your dad but take my words to heart. Now go your next chapter begins!!"
I watched them go in. Then went to the parking lot and lost it.
The future awaits..
 

The shadow

The shadow knows!
Today via zoom we went with Debbie and her new roommate Zoe (a sweet gal with a light British accent from Southampton ) to her first class. Then we went with Kate to her 1st class. Rikki and I then headed for our anniversary lunch. Our twins facing the future. Begining the next chapter.
Debbie wants to become a senior network architect.
Kate a lawyer or judge or elected official.
Thier future starts today. Rikki and I can't wait to see what it brings!
 

Rikki

High Priestess
today I was shocked to get a call from Memorial HS. With Bob in a meeting I was the next fallback. it was the principal. I feared the worst. he started by telling me how often Ian's name crossed his desk. mostly from his instructors. I asked, "what did he do?" He laughed "Impressed the hell out of them." he told me that with the school year ending Ian was on target to be on the honor roll and the principals list! both he and Anna his GF had excelled in ways that impressed him. And his work in support of the GLBT community was amazing. I paused I knew nothing of this. He told me in November Ian's friend Adam came out as gay he was ambushed and beaten. Ian moved quickly to support his friend and others the bullies were found and punished. Ian had dressed in drag for a school show and Anna was a drag king. All news to me. looks like Bob and I are due for a talk with him!
Blessed be
Rikki
 

The shadow

The shadow knows!
Kate and Megan held out their hands. Showing off the silver and diamond rings. "We are engaged!" I sat down hard.
Rikki almost fainted." May 23rd 2024 justice Janet Protasiewicz (who is gay) will perform the service! I as high priestess formally request you do a handfasting priestess Victoria."
Rikki lost it and said yes! My oldest daughter getting married...
 
Top