GRADUATION: Snapshot in time

In between the mother’s swollen eyes with tears she finds herself able to capture her baby up there on the stage. From being in diapers to now proudly sporting her cap and gown ready to receive her diploma. Father’s lips quiver as he endeavors in breaking a smile rather than a tear but in the moment both break and tears of elation cascade down his face. From Little League practice and sundaes afterward to now graduation and her whole future afterward. Where did time go? How can my baby once just a child in my arms be a grown adult heading out into the world?

Her arresting eyes meet her parents as she walks up with strides of confidence and finds herself overcome with emotion, and in between the flashing lights and the applauding crowd she manages to capture the moment. A moment of the recognition of her achievements and the recognition of the support and care of her family that helped her get to where she is today.

Though mother’s baby girl is no longer in her arms she will forever remain in her heart. Though father’s baby girl is no longer a baby she will always remain his baby girl. In between the tears, in between the applauding and flashing lights; her mother and father paused and captured the beauty of the immensity of the moment and smiled.

Hundreds of parents smiled. Hundreds of them wept tears of joy as they watched their beloved sons and daughters come to turn a chapter in their life story into a new one.

May they continue to walk proudly off the stage and onward to the world and stand firm when the winds of strife may blow.

May they stand tall when the Earth seems to be weighing heavy on their shoulders and may they stand unashamed amidst all the tribulations that will come! Above all stand that you may be seen and make sure the world sees you for who you really are!

SASHA FISHER

Coeur d’Alene