7 friends all graduating Irvington High School: Class of 2011
We have a full house again. Ryan is home from college and our home is bursting with new energy. Francesca and Michael are done with high school. Their official last day was last Thursday, but they continue to return to the high school to turn in books and attend practices for the commencement ceremony which will occur tomorrow, Tuesday, June 14th. It is a truly bittersweet moment for me as we wind down the school year. For me it is always sad to see that another year has come to an end and to realize that the kids have grown up a little bit more. It is sad also to know that our well established routines will be evolving yet again as we head into the summer months.
Kyle is not the little boy he was a year ago when he started 7th grade. Some how during the past year he let his hair grow long like Justin Bieber and his ipod is now permanently attached to his ear and he has developed friendships with girls – not girl friends mind you, just friends that are girls! And Michael! I swear it was just yesterday morning, that he was signing up for Freshman waterpolo… and now he is college bound and ready to start making his way in the world. As if that weren’t enough, three years at Chico have somehow melted away and Ryan is now a SENIOR in college! He is gainfully employed this summer, which required the purchase of new shoes and pants and the discarding of his flip flops in order to operate a cash register and punch a time card to help pay for law school. Even more bittersweet for me is the fact that we are facing the looming departure date of Francesca. She returns to Italy and Locorotondo on the 26th of June. Kyle, bless his heart just the other day said “mom, it is going to be so weird when Francesca’s room is empty and she isn’t here to make brownies for me...I’m going to miss her!“
Our family has had an eventful year filled with ups and downs and meaningful moments. There have been moments of change and self awareness; moments of confusion; moments of clarity, as well as moments of bonding. We are an opinionated family, so yes, at times there have been a few tears, fireworks and escalated voices, but always tempered with deeply caring calmer moments of insightful discussions and comprehension. I am so glad that we have had this time with Francesca, because it has made our family better and in many ways closer.
It is funny how life can move along at a safe and comfortable pace and then all of a sudden you are confronted with big changes that are painfully hard to swallow. I would prefer instead to bottle these precious fleeting moments and squeeze my kids tight enough to keep them from growing up and changing. But, unfortunately you just can’t do that. Life keeps happening. Things keep evolving & people move on and away to pursue new dreams. All my kids are making their way in the world. Some are returning to Italy, some are going to college, some are entering their teen age years and others are preparing to go to grad school. They are all growing up to be interesting individuals, and with out getting too maudlin, I just wanted to say how proud I am of my kids. Things are changing for us, but I know that new experiences are right around the corner and I can’t wait to find out what will happen next!
Francesca's Grad Night Poster : a slice of her life!
Michael's Grad Night Poster : a slice of his life!
Melissa, è proprio bello quello che hai scritto! Sei stata e sei una grande mamma, accogliente e amorevole.Il risultato sono i tuoi meravigliosi figli (aggiungo anche la mia Francesca che è diventata un pò tua!). Ma un grande merito va anche a Pat (noi mariti, di solito, ci mostriamo poco) che sicuramente ti ha sorretto sempre… Un abbraccio forte, Vittorio.
Did Kyle really say that?! Gosh, I love that little dude. 😦