Yesterday I picked 9 quarts of strawberries.  Today, 5 of those quarts are ready for shortcake, which has been made.  Summer means strawberries which means shortcake.  One of the best parts of June.  And that's the truth.

It happened.  It's over. It has come and gone.

The event I had thought would 'do me in' has passed by.  The date of my third child's graduation from high school.  The culmination of life's work in raising children has occurred.  And I am still standing.  Or at least, I am upright.

Months of planning, ordering, working, arranging, cleaning, planting, and not the least, praying and all the graduation events are memories.  Images which will grow more and more faint in the mind are forever etched in photographs at hand.  It was a wonderful weekend full of memory making moments.  And all the kudos go to God.

The tent and table and chairs arrived early Friday morning.  I was potting one more flower for my flowerbeds as the men set up places for guests to sit and visit with one another and family.  This tent was white unlike her brothers' tents which were school colors of red and black.  This was white and the table covers were black as were the chairs.  Very classy. 

Saturday morning dawned with the promise of sunshine.  The sunlight shone across the white tent illuminating the backyard.  I decided to enjoy my breakfast seated at the glass topped table alone with God and my thoughts.  I knew that soon, too soon, the quiet and calm of the perfect early morning would be filled with things to do. 

I had been fervently praying for good weather for this day.  The sunshine falling across the yard in streaks of gold filled my heart with joy and peace.  I knew God had heard my pleas and had answered even something as mundane as weather might be.  I was blessed. 

Weeks of work in the flowerbeds had certainly been worth the effort.  I was in awe of how beautiful everything looked.  This was totally due to God's timing.  The clematis had never, ever bloomed with so many flowers.  The pink peonies were perfect next to the purple clematis and false indigo plant.  Words cannot describe how perfectly everything had come together for this day of celebration.  And it was all due to God's hand.

Kimber decorated her tables with white candles surrounded by clear and black stones inside glass globes.  Black and white picture frames filled with images of family and friends stood on each table.  The tables in the garage were laden with pictures, medals, awards, and memories of 18 years of this young woman's precious life.  She, dressed in a new black and white dress, was a gracious, sweet greeter to all who had come in honor of her life and her accomplishments. 

Later that day, we stood on the curb downtown and watched the Senior Parade.  The class of 2009 dressed in red robes and black robes proudly walked through the downtown smiling and waving to families with cameras in hand.  There she was, as I imagined she would be, with her best friends beside her, walking not just through the downtown, but toward her future. 

After sitting on bleachers at the football stadium, praying the few raindrops would stop for just a couple more hours, we proudly watched as Kimber received her diploma and congratulations from staff and school board.  Standing together afterwards on the lawn, pictures were taken, hugs were exchanged, and high school became a part of her past.

My hope, my prayer is that she continues to grow, to flourish, to mature, and to find the path God has designed for her.  As I step aside and consider this beautiful young woman, I can only pray that what we how we raised her and loved her is/was what God wanted for her.  I know He loves her even more than I do and that is a great comfort.

Thank You, Father, for Your unfailing love, for answers to prayer, and for this sweet, sweet girl called Kimber.

It's official.  We no longer have children in the public school system.  All three of our kids have completed their 13 compulsory years of school..Unbelievable.  Not that they accomplished that fact, but that all three of our kids are through school!  The youngest finished her senior year today. 

Septembers will never be the same.

There will be no more.......

first day pictures in front of the fireplace,
hurriedly packed lunches in the morning,
running to sports events in the spring,
making sure her alarm went off,
schoolbooks on the stairs,
curfews on school nights,
signing planners,
asking if homework is finished,
washing tennis uniforms,
texting during school,
waiting for 2:25 pm,
watching the white Explorer leave so early,
proms,
homecoming,
football games,
basketball games,
class night,
report cards,
stories about teachers,
stories about friends,
teenage drama at school,
quizzing for tests next day,
proofreading essays,
and so many more no mores.................

An end of an era.
A time thought future just a few short years ago.
A time of change.
A time of adjustment.
A time of reflection.
A time of gratefulness.
A time to count my blessings..............

Thank You, Lord, You have filled my cup to overflowing.........and then some.