Graduations and New Beginnings

Graduation announcements started arriving a few weeks ago. Each one a glossy declaration of a journey completed, a new chapter about to begin. And each one hitting me right in the feels.

My oldest is going to the eigth grade next year. (FINGERS CROSSED CAUSE GIRL!!.) High school feels like its running up my back, and then the middle one is going to sixth grade. and my BABY is going to the fourth grade. It feels like just yesterday I was dropping my oldest to preschool, her backpack swallowing her whole, me trying to be all brave and "have a great day!" while fighting back tears in the car. And she's stretching... all of them actually... and I'm a MESS!! HOW are moms dealing with this graduation/ adult thing. Let me get in with Akira right quick...

These are not even MY kids, going to prom, and graduating from high school and even COLLEGE. As a 44-year-old single Black mother witnessing this for my friends, these milestones aren't just about all the gift cards I'm about to have to shell out... or are they? *Pause * I kinda take that back.

Let me start over; it's not all about the caps and gowns. For me it's about ... survival. They did it! My friends, that is. Witnessing the fruit of years of hard work, sacrifice, and a whole lot of prayer. It's about seeing them walk across that stage, not just with a diploma in his hand, but with the confidence and resilience to navigate a world that won't always be easy. And it's a win for my friends, inspiration for me to keep going, evidence for my children.

Graduation has always been more than just an academic achievement. It's a testament to overcoming obstacles. To pushing through the stereotypes and the systemic barriers that too often try to hold our children back. It's a celebration of community, of the village that helped raise him, of the teachers who believed in them, and of the ancestors who paved the way.

It's a bit like Cinco de Mayo, in a way. Not the tequila-soaked version, but the real story. It's about celebrating a victory against the odds, a triumph of the human spirit. Graduation is a reminder that we can't be defeated, that we can rise above, that our dreams are worth fighting for.

I get a glimpse of what the future holds. Y'all, I'm going to be that mom in the audience, cheering louder than anyone else, tears streaming down my face. I'm going to celebrate achievements and the amazing young people they become. I'll probably even run to the edge of the state sign and a hug that lasts way too long. I digress because it's not my turn yet!

I'm proud of my friend and I'm going to stand by her, because I've witnessed something else. Beyond the pride and the joy, there's also a bittersweetness to it all. This graduation is a beginning, but it's also an ending. An ending to the daily routine of school drop-offs and pick-ups, of homework battles and late-night talks about teenage drama. It's a reminder that time is a thief, that these precious years go by in the blink of an eye. And I'm heartbroken and proud at the same time!!

So, as I watch nephew embark on this new journey, I'm filled with a mix of emotions: pride, joy, a little sadness, and a whole lot of hope. Hope for his future, hope for our community, and hope for a world where every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

And as I celebrate this milestone and dish out gift cards like I don't have my own kids still trudging along this journey, I'll also take a moment to honor all the mothers, fathers, aunties, uncles, and grandparents who have poured their hearts and souls into raising these children. (Are they still children?) We are the warriors, the nurturers, the silent heroes who make these moments possible.

But for real... Auntie is proud of you. I got this good $20 dollars on your books... lol. But iI got you... we're still your village and you're still one of my babies. To him and to all the graduates: Congratulations. The world is waiting for you. Go make your mark.

To my friend... margaritas?