I went to my eldest granddaughter's graduation this week. I felt my breath catch in my throat as I watched her walk with her classmates down across the floor. She was so beautiful with her hair up and a long floor length mauve gown on. 

The tears were close as I thought back over the years when she was so tiny that I was afraid she might break. Now she is 14 and a young woman. Many scenes flashed through my mind as I sat in the auditorium listening to the speeches.

I had a clear picture of her screaming as her bare feet touched the grass when her Mommy put her in the swing at the park. She hated the feel of the grass on her feet. Now she goes around barefoot all the time. LOL 

I remember how her sweet smile could melt my heart and make me want to give her the world when she was a baby. She was so beautiful !!  She is still beautiful but in a more grown up way now. 

I thought back to when I would take her in the swimming pool at the apartment complex where I lived for awhile. She loved the water like a fish born to it and I had to be very alert every second as she did her dips and jumps and showed off to make me laugh.

I remember nights when she would sleep over and I would lay beside her in my bed and tell her ghost stories and she would squeal with laughter as I made silly noises and funny faces. Our ghosts were always friendly ones.  :) 

Ah yes - there are so many more memories to cherish in my heart ...................

I see so much of her Mother in her when she rebels and when she is being kind and sweet. I see so much of her Father in her when she wants something and turns on the charm. She has picked up the good and not so good in both her parents. A very interesting combination for sure.

Shantel is going through the tough age of not quite a child but not quite an adult now and there is a lot of headbutting going on with her and her Mother as is normal for teen years, but I have no doubt in my mind that she will be fine and that she will continue to grow into a wonderful young woman that everyone will be very proud of. 

I love talking with Shantel and listening to her hopes and dreams. She is intelligent and can be very thoughtful and deep in her views. She is loyal to her friends and kind to younger children. She loves music and movies the same as all teenagers and has scads of friends wherever she goes.

There are times I do not understand her and times that I understand her only to well. I am sure she feels the same way about me. Shantel and I have always shared something special and I hope that never goes away. We have a way of talking without even saying a word sometimes. 

Yes I sat there in the overpowering heat of that auditorium and watched her receive her graduation diploma and my heart yelled -- Your Gramma loves you Shantel !!

I wonder now where she is headed. I look forward to her graduation from highschool in a few years and into the world of mystery and intrigue. 

Now I have to see 4 more grandchildren graduate from public school as their times come. I think I like graduation. :)   It makes me remember beautiful memories.

I would not trade being a GrandMother for anything !!

Be Good To Yourself and Others 

Misker