Graduation

It has been eighteen years since I walked across the stage to receive my high school diploma. My five-month-old daughter was in the stands watching me achieve a major milestone. Graduating from high school might not seem like a huge accomplishment but it was to me. Neither of my parents graduated from high school, and I’m pretty sure their parents didn’t graduate either. So being the first graduate in a couple generations was a big deal to me. In addition to coming from an uneducated family, I had a five-month-old baby. Aside from the day my daughter was born, graduation was the best day of my young life. I expected my parents to be proud of me. I expected them to be there celebrating with me on the field after the ceremony. Instead, I saw them walking out right after my name was called. A piece of me died that day. I will NEVER forget that my parents chose themselves over me that night. My silver lining was that, even though my parents left, my little girl was there. I celebrated with her in my arms on the football field that night. This life that I created was there and would always be there; and I would always be there for her.

Eighteen years later my beautiful baby girl, sat on the very same football field and walked across that stage to receive her diploma. 2020, the year that took away so many graduation ceremonies across the county, wasn’t able to steal her moment. It did limit her spectators, but she was given the graduation she deserved. You bet your ass her mom sat right there and watched every moment of her graduation. I laughed, I cried, and I was PROUD. Attending my child’s graduation was more of an accomplishment for me than my own graduation… and you know what else? SHE KNOWS how proud I am. She isn’t sitting there wondering why her parents weren’t proud of her. She isn’t wondering what was more important than her graduation. SHE KNOWS how much her mom loves her. SHE KNOWS that I would do anything for her, that I am here to support her, to guide her, to love her. Being a parent is the most IMPORTANT job!

If you were like me and didn’t feel like your parents were proud of you, its okay. Does it hurt any less? No. But it is okay. It is okay because you should be proud of yourself. You are also learning what not to do as a parent. Use that hurt and turn it into love. Be the parent that you needed. Make yourself proud. This is something that I am still learning; how to be proud of myself for my accomplishments, regardless of if anyone else is. If you want to talk about it, I’m here. Email me if you want accordingtosherry@gmail.com I will listen!

Parents

Please, please, please make sure that you make your kids a priority. Go to the sporting event. Go to the awards (I promise you, they are looking). Go to the programs. Go to Practice. Go to promotion ceremonies and graduation! Be present, stay the whole time. If you can’t make it because of work or illness, make sure that your child knows why you aren’t there and that you are proud. Kids need this. Kids need you. Kids need to feel that they matter.
BECAUSE. THEY. DO!

Dedication:

Sierra, I am so very proud of you for working so hard and graduating early. I know that you have struggled but you always persevered. You can do anything you set your mind to. I will always be here, every step of the way. You have grown into such a beautiful young woman and I am proud to be your mom.
I love you!

“Your life is your story and the adventure ahead of you is the journey to fulfill your own purpose and potential.”
– Kerry Washington

Until Next Time,

Sherry