On Sunday, Bayfield High School will graduate its senior class, and Ignacio High School's graduation will follow on May 26.
In my 25 years of working in community journalism, often on the education beat, I've probably covered 30 or 35 graduation ceremonies.
Do I know how to have a good time or what?
So yes, after all of these years, I admit they have become a blur, but it's important for our communities to send these kids off and honor the years of work they have put into their education.
One of my favorites was commencement several years ago at Ignacio High School. That class decided they wanted a short graduation ceremony, and by golly, they had one, heading out of the gym 30 or 45 minutes after it started - I can't remember exactly how long it lasted, but it was fast.
My headline was "Class of 2012 makes speedy exit." That might not be the year of the class, but it's close.
This time around though, I'll be both covering the event and being a proud mom. My eldest son is graduating.
Where does the time go? I still remember taking him in to his first days of preschool and kindergarten in Bayfield. That little kid who used to scoot around our kitchen floor in a plastic bowl is now working and driving and getting ready for his next adventures in life.
I'm mostly pleased - in spite of the mistakes I've made as a parent, he's a hard worker and polite and a pretty good kid. But his departure into adulthood is tinged with sadness for his mom, of course.
On Sunday, we're joining a lot of other proud parents in the BHS gym, and our son received a blessing at church earlier this month. I will tear up a bit, but I think mostly I'll be happy and proud and worrying if we have enough food and sodas on hand for the party.
I hope these seniors can be proud of themselves, as well. As hard as it is to get that diploma, it's something they will have for a lifetime. I hope they continue reading and learning and growing, because it's up to them to keep trying to improve this crazy world. Even though we often fail, the successes - and the effort that goes into them - are what makes our lives worthwhile.
Congratulations to all of these young people - we're proud of you as you start working, enter the military or head off to college.
Thanks for reading.
