Graduation season is upon us, and this is a special one for us

Here we are, full bloom into May, a month for graduations. It hardly seems possible that another school year could be winding up already. I am sure I said the same thing last year, and the year before.

The weeks following spring break are always some of the busiest for me, and the light at the end of the tunnel sneaks up on me every time. I am not sorry to see the light, but it does serve as a reminder that there is still much to do in the short time remaining. Every school employee knows the feeling.

Although a demanding period of time, it is enjoyable to witness the culmination of years of work and planning come to fruition. Photos of college students in full graduation regalia are already popping up in Facebook posts, and high school ceremonies will be next. Mission accomplished for so many!

This graduation season will be a special one for us because we have three immediate family members graduating from three different high schools, all within five days. Things like this come up from time to time in large families like ours. A generation ago, our daughter, Andrea, and two of her first cousins all graduated the same weekend from different Arkansas high schools. Making it to all three ceremonies kept us hopping.

The most unique thing for us this year, however, is that our oldest grandson, Dylan, is one of those set to walk across the stage and receive his high school diploma.

Because he was the one to introduce us to grandparenthood almost 18 years ago, he continues to initiate us with many "firsts." Watching a grandchild graduate from high school is another in that long line.

Dylan, seemingly just yesterday a 5-year-old kid flanked by six adult family members and a teenager as he entered the building to attend his kindergarten open house, has zipped through the school years before our very eyes. He is ready now to leave his entourage behind and navigate the college world on his own. He may be more prepared for the next phase than we are. It will certainly be a change for all of us. Adjusting to endings and new beginnings is what graduation all about.

Annette Rowe is a freelance writer from rural Gentry and a speech-language pathologist at Siloam Springs High School. She may be reached by email at [email protected] expressed are those of the author.

Editorial on 05/14/2014