Graduation Day
My daughter Maddye graduated from high school yesterday. It was an emotional time for me, for many reasons, but primarily because it was so uncertain, not too many months ago, whether or not I would actually live to see the day.
Well I did, thank God, and I have firm plans to see many more happy events in the future. I think that’s probably a better plan than the one that views each big event as possibly the last one. Cup half full, right?
Nevertheless, even when I try my best to “keep it positive,” life can still be so bittersweet. During Maddye’s ceremony, I sat next to my fifteen year old son and couldn’t help but think of his graduation day. Plus, I had my own ghosts to battle. It had only been 27 years since I received my diploma, and I found myself wondering where the time had gone. After graduation day it was college, then law school, then a couple of jobs, then my thirties (aka the ”lost years”).
And after that? Cancer.
I found myself wanting to run up there and add something to those graduation speeches: a little Dead Poet’s Society “carpe diem”. That is, a challenge to seize the day, make your time count, and laugh whenever you can.
Or, as we have said in this series, to make a memory every day, because life is real.
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I’m glad you were able to be there. You are giving this cancer one tough fight. You know you have my hope for many more happy occasions, and many more memories.
I like that story you tell about your and Maddye’s “hand squeeze” code (but now I can’t find the part of your blog or books where I read it – doh!) Those young sprouts of yours are something to be proud of. I called some family this weekend that I hadn’t called in awhile, and I’m going to make sure I stay in touch with them (even the ones that like to talk about their church a LOT.) Family is priceless, and friends are pretty good too, even the ones you only know online. Thanks for sharing your stories, Jim.