Day 194 of 365

Yesterday I wrote about Kyle graduating from high school.  Today I ordered his graduation present.  I made a promise to him four years ago that if he graduated top of his class, he would get a Martin guitar as his graduation present.  Despite the odds being stacked against him, he persevered and he will walk across the stage in a little over a week as the valedictorian of the Crane High School Class of 2011.  Being able to keep this promise to him means so much to me. 

I can't think of one thing that my son loves more than music.  He listens to it, he plays it, he quotes it.  He picks up an instrument for the first time and can play it before you know it.  The talent flows through that child, er man.  He plays beautifully.  He taught himself how to play guitar, among other instruments.  When I am blessed enough to hear him play guitar, it sends chills through me. 

I can't think of one person that deserves to get something that they really want more than Kyle.  He has worked so hard for as long as I can remember.  I couldn't be more proud of him. 

I love you, Kyle.

Day 193 of 365

This afternoon was a time of reflection.  I received my oldest son's graduation announcement in the mail today.  That sounds so awful.  I received it IN THE MAIL.  I should be there with him, watching the excitement mount as he prepares to enter "the real world."  The reality is that he has been in the real world for much longer than any 18 year old should have been.  I have hated having to be so far away from him the past year and a half.  Don't get me wrong, I love my life here with Jim and Emily.  I just wish we could all be together.  I don't see that ever happening again on a long term basis.  I miss Kyle and Zach very much.  I looked at the announcement and the tears started to flow.  My beautiful little man is now all grown up, graduating top of his class and about to go off to college.  Seems like just yesterday that he made the comment to me "just think mom, it's only 7 years until I go off to college".  Wasn't that just yesterday?  Wasn't he just about to hit his "growth spurt" and shoot up about a foot over that summer?  Wasn't he just having his first crush?  Wasn't he still more interested in scooters and roller blades than girls and working?  You hear it from your parents growing up but never believe them when they say that it will go by so fast and you will just wonder where the time has gone.  I love you, son.

Kyle 2004

Kyle 2011

In the blink of an eye...