Family

Pomp and Circumstance

My girl graduated from high school this past weekend. She wasn't feeling very well, but was glad to walk that aisle and receive her diploma nonetheless.

It was very difficult finding good seating in the auditorium, and I ended up in the very back, hoping I could get a few somewhat decent shots of Sabrina. When she got to her seat, I saw her looking around, trying to find all of us; with the hundreds of faces looking downward at their class, she couldn't spot us, which made me sad. I kept wanting to shout out, "We're here, Sabrina! Here we are!"

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About 3/4 of the way through the ceremony, they finally came to the "S" surnames, and Sabrina's row walked to the front…

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At last, I'd maneuvered myself to get a great photo of her receiving her diploma! I was poised and eager, holding my breath, and my shutter finger was ready to capture the shot of the day…

"Sabrina .. Stewart," the administrator called…

(There she is! My baby girl! My little strawberry-haired baby girl!)

CLICK.

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Wha…???????????

WHAT THE POMP JUST HAPPENED?

I couldn't believe it. This was the one photo I was waiting for, and it was disastrous. I kept asking myself, "Will someone please remind me why I secretly sold Mike's left kidney so I could buy this lens?" over and over again. It wasn't until a few moments later that I realized it wasn't my lens, but another culprit:

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The onstage flash and camera rig. What timing. Ugh. 

I then recalled that last year the school sent out photos of the graduates to each family, and I was happy again. I'm sure they got a much better shot than I could have anyway.

So I continued on with watching my darling girl head back off the stage, diploma in hand, and back to her seat…

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Congratulations, class of 2011!

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Sitting in the back of the auditorium, I watched my Sabrina walk toward the exit…

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Again, she started to look around (she had actually seen her proud dad earlier, but I was sitting in a different spot than he was), and I believe she was just about to give up spotting me, when suddenly – finally…

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…My girl smiled at me. It was then that I started to cry. I put my camera down and held my hand to my heart and told her I loved her. She answered by putting her hand to her heart and told me she loved me too, and out into the sunshiny day she went, waiting for us to come find her.

I am so proud of Sabrina.

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Once outside, amid the sea of green gowns, we tried our best to spot her. Finally, Sophie had the idea of standing up on a concrete block to yell out, "Sabrina!!"

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It worked. 🙂

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(Her dad gives the best, warmest hugs.)

Pops was so proud…

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In front of the courthouse…

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(We'll be here again for Joonbug in 2018! I need to remember to take another picture exactly like this one when she's wearing her cap and gown.)

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And yes, I'll take another of this one as well…

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Sabrina, your dad and I are so very proud of all you've accomplished. You're a delight to us, and we love you with all our hearts. I know I speak for your Meems and Pops as well, and as dad said in your card, "Grandma and Grandpa are in Heaven, clapping and cheering the loudest."

Congratulations, my girl.

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29 Comments

  • Ginny

    Aww, how special! They grow up so fast… in a blink of an eye, they are grown and gone. Love her smile. You should all be very proud.

  • jill

    After 7 consecutive years of graduations, we finally learned that the graduate tells us where they are sitting ahead of time so that we can sit near them – and we tell them that we are going to sit near them – straight up or to the left, or whatever, so that they can look for us. Then afterwards we have a designated meeting spot that everyone heads to. Our last graduation was last year, but after all those consecutive years of graduations (nephews, neices, brothers, marshalls,etc.), we finaly got it down! Remember this when Sophie graduates! and congrats to the graduate!!!

  • Kim

    Congradulations Sabrina!!! Your Mom takes wonderful pictures of you and your family!! I enjoy each and every one!! Thanks for sharing~

  • Peggy Lee

    Ok so I thought I’d just do a quick lookie-loo at a few blogs posts before I go out to mow a bit of the lawn and BLAMMO….I was reduced to tears when I read the part about how when she finally saw you…hands to hearts…oh my here I go again. SHEESH…
    I remember when my son graduated. I know your pride. Congratulation Sabrina!

  • Kelly

    Yeah Sabrina!!!!!!
    Congrats!!! I’ll be watching my own daughter walk across the platform this time next year. I hope she is feeling better by now.

  • Littlebit

    What a beautiful young lady we have there..she turned out to be such a gracious and loving person, and we are all so very, very proud of her. And I never would have guessed that her Pops could shout THAT loud, even when he is mad! 🙂 LLLLLLLY Sabrina!

  • Margaret

    Awww, that’s so sweet. Darn you, I’m tearing up here. lol! I remember when our girl graduated. Our boy graduates next year! (And girl too — from college!) I know how very proud you all must be of your girl. Congratulations, Sabrina! Yay!

  • Yvonne S.

    Congrats to Sabrina and her parents. My one and only graduates next year and I know I will react the same as you. You learn exactly how quickly time flies.

  • Denise

    Congrats Sabrina – and Mom – you made me cry. Next year I get to cry for my own baby. Thanks for sharing this special moments with us.

  • connie

    Congrats to Sabrina. Enjoy your summer and I sure hope you feel better very soon.
    Paulette, You brought back memories of our girls graduating. In short order the tears were falling. Just wait till college graduations. Oh my…. those were hard for me. It really meant they were on their way in life. That is what we raised them to do. But still it is hard.

  • joanntx

    congrats sabrina!
    just think… in four years time that sea of green will turn into an sea of another color, depending on where she goes to college! 🙂
    what a great achievement! on to the next!
    best wishes!!!
    LLLY!!!

  • Anja

    Oh, Sabrina ! Beste Glückwünsche und alles Gute für deine Zukunft ! wünscht Familie Müller.
    Paulette, don´t be sad about that foto. You HAVE that moment.
    In three weeks we have the same day with Caroline, my middle child. But for that day, only two people from one family are allowed. We have to give a card, that allows the entrance. I am sad about that, because it would be so nice to be there with sister and brother and grandparents.
    Deine Anja

  • Cathryn

    Congratulations to Sabrina and a heartfelt wish for her continued lifetime success! I just cried reading and looking at the pics here. Thanks so much for always sharing how really beautiful your family is, Paulette. an extremely grateful Cathryn.

  • Leslie

    Congratulations Sabrina! It looks like you had a fabulous day! Your mom’s photos turned out perfect to remember your day.

  • marylin

    B R A V O SABRINA tes parents peuvent être fières de toi tu as bien travaillé !
    Félicitations de FRANCE !!!!
    Amitiés, marylin

  • Lynn

    I felt myself choking up when I read your lovely post. Many congratulations to Sabrina! I wish her continued success in whatever she undertakes next.
    Your photos are lovely Paulette. I hope someone took one of you with Sabrina on her special day.

  • Connie

    Congrats to Sabrina on her graduation and for all her hard work. And to you and Mike for doing a great job raising a wonderful young woman.