Your Love Will Live in Our Hearts…

Last night, my firstborn crossed the stage to graduate as a member of the first graduating class of I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM & VPA.

The Class of 2022, I.M. Terrell Academy of STEM & VPA, first day of freshman year, 2018. 

Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center was full of proud families and friends as the school’s orchestra played and the school’s choir sang. One hundred eleven brave seniors received their diploma. They moved their tassels from the right to the left. They lifted their beautiful faces and sang the Alma Mater (from which we get the title of this post). They threw their caps into the air, and the stands rocked with the overwhelming pride and joy of all present.

I’ve been struggling for the words to explain how I feel about this class and their graduation (and I write for a living). “Proud” isn’t enough. The first graduating class overcame so much. These students were the guinea pigs in a grand educational experiment; fortunately, the experiment was a success. These tough kiddos helped to create a school that they can be proud of. And I’m so proud my kiddo is one of them.

On the first day of kindergarten, this brave little soul raced into the classroom, throwing a wave and an excited “Bye, Mama!” over their shoulder, promptly forgetting all about us as they dove into school with a vengeance. I expected to cry a little that morning, but their joy was so palpable, I didn’t.

Other milestones followed. They “graduated” from elementary school and went to middle school. They “graduated” from middle school and became one of the trailblazers in this brand-new high school. Each new beginning and last day were met with smiles and excitement, and I didn’t shed a tear. Yay, Mom!

But then on Tuesday, I woke them up for their last day of high school the same way I woke them up for their first day of kindergarten, and I realized our little ritual of me sticking my head into their room and gently saying, “Time to get up, sweetie,” was over. And I wept.

In August, we’ll load up the Subaru MomMobile and head off to Sherman, where they will matriculate at Austin College. They’ll come home over school breaks until they don’t. They’ll graduate and get a job and find their new life. My beautiful miracle child is growing up.

Intellectually, I’m so excited to see where they go and what they achieve. They have a unique combination of intelligence and empathy that will serve them well. They will use their heart to guide their head to help others. But I can still feel that little bundle of perfect promise that the nurses placed in my arms, and my heart both swells with pride and aches at the same time.

So before I dissolve into a puddle of tears, let me just say congratulations to my child and all of the Class of 2022, at I.M. Terrell and every other high school and college! Your future is, as I’m sure you heard in every graduation speech, limitless. Your families (both biological and logical) and friends are so very proud of you. Don’t forget us as you make your way into your future. And always know that you are loved.