With my daughter’s graduation, I had a different reaction. I was transformed watching my daughter and
her friends grow up in what felt like 30 seconds. When she was born, people said, “Enjoy every
moment, it goes so fast.” And I nodded back
then as if I understood what they were saying.
As I stood there today, I couldn’t believe how fast it has really
gone. At eleven years old, my daughter
and her friends are all on the bridge to becoming teenagers and I feel their
excitement, anxiety and curiosity.
What was also evident today was the joy and sweet spirit in
their eyes. My daughter and most of her
friends have been together since pre-school and their friendships deepened over
the years. As my daughter and I talk
about her friends, each friendship is as special as the friend. One is great for laughs, one is a confidant, one
is really good in school, all love the same music and all have begun to notice
the boys.
One of the most unique and wonderful qualities I have seen
in these friendships, is the kindness and compassion that these girls have
shown each other. Over the past few
years, a couple of her friends have gone through some difficult times and they
all banded together to help each other deal with sadness, anxiety or fear. They asserted themselves and stood up to a bully,
they supported each other during performances and helped each other with school
work.
I want to hold onto this day for years to come and while I
know the memory will fade, I hope that when my daughter and I reflect on it in
the future, we can recall the true beauty and spirit in her childhood
friendships.
