The last few weeks of school are always a little bit like living through a tornado, but with all of the 8th grade graduation things it made for an extra special version of chaos. That being said, this is one week I'll be wishing I could relive over and over again. My heart is full for this little girl and we're some pretty lucky parents to call her ours.
The last day of school at Riley they have a tradition where the graduate "pick your ride" and they organize all sorts of creative ways to get to school. I've seen groups on horses, I've seen tractors, I've been golf carts and go cards and about everything in between. This year one of the twin boy's families (there are three sets of twins in Abby's class) offered to host the kids that morning so they could all ride their bikes in one big group.
We were pretty thankful because the roads between our house and the school are pretty dangerous and there is no sidewalks. Maybe most fun of all is that the kids had a police escort to get them safely between the house and the school. I didn't stick around to see the parade of bikes take off (work was calling...) but Abby said it was very fun "and the school was closer than I thought it would be".
Let's not forget the moment I almost made all of these bikes fall down like playing cards all stacked up. I moved Abby's bike into the line and knocked the one closest. We took out about 3 bikes but thankfully one of the girls saw it happening and stopped the domino effect. (I'm sure Abby would have LOVED that!)
A few weeks before graduation I got a text from Mrs. Campanelli (the kids gym teacher, but also their 3rd grade teacher from a few years back. Anyways, she texted to tell me (in secret) that Abby had been nominated for 5 out of 8 awards that would be given out during the 8th grade assembly. She was so kind about how she talked about Abby and how we should be so proud of her. She said "I hope she sweeps them all..." (LOVE!).
Abby won three awards at the assembly. She was awarded Academic Excellence, the Presidential Education Award (given to all student who score above a certain GPA) and a band ward for her leadership in the band. Her little heart was full, but mine might have been fuller. It was so fun to sit in the audience and to hear her name called over and over again.
Fast forward to later that night at the graduation ceremony where they gave out three additional awards that were not already given out earlier in the day and you'll never believe it, but Abby won two of the three there too! She won one given out by the American Legion (given to one boy and one girl in her class) and probably the most distinguished award of the entire day - the Humanitarian award, given to only one person in the school. I'd made a joke when we sat down with our programs "When Abby sweeps these two awards do you think I should stand up to receive them on her behalf?" I was totally joking of course, but then she actually did win them both!!
The Humanitarian Award was very special. As Mr. Vicari described the intent of the award and what it was meant to highlight along with the story of the child who would win it, I know every single parent (or even every attendee...) was sitting there hoping he was describing "their" child. The sweet 8th grader they were there to celebrate and my heart swelled (and my eyes teared to the brim) when he announced Abby's name. He told the best story about how when Mr. Grey (the new superintendent who started 3 years ago) was walking the school his first week he pointed out Abby to Mr. Vicari and asked "who is that kid because she's going somewhere, she's going to be someone important some day". Come on...........!! It makes me tear up even just writing it.
If I'm being honest I wasn't putting much weight in 8th Grade Graduation. I didn't want to plan a whole big party, I wanted to make it special for Abby, of course, but it is only 8th grade...it feels like a made up new holiday just to get you to buy things. But, for me it ended up being so much more than that. It was a validation I didn't know I needed. I know it's her day, not mine. But the validation through the awards told me "You're doing a good job with her...keep going Momma!". I didn't know I needed it...but I did.
Of course, I can't forget about our friends and family who ALWAYS show up to make sure these days are special for the kids. I'm so thankful for the time everyone takes (out of their very very busy lives) to show up and help us celebrate. We had a big group in the audience to clap for Abby and make sure she felt loved and all of that made me feel loved too.
My last few thoughts - here we are at the end of 8th grade. 13 years and while the days themselves feel long, the years have flown by. I fully recognize that we are closer to being empty nesters than we are to having newborns...and that we only have 4 short years left with all four of us under one roof. It makes me both incredibly excited for the days ahead...and a little sad about how quickly I know it'll fly by.
APM - you are going places!! Mark my words!
