Bittersweet Milestone Moments

Today, I watched my niece graduate from college, and shortly, I will be watching her sister, my other niece, graduate from high school. These important moments in their lives, are always bittersweet.

Now, I didn’t get to physically go to my nieces college graduation (I was not well), but I watched the live stream on YouTube and a cord was struck when the keynote speaker gave their speech.

She spoke of how she progressed along her on path and the things that influenced her decisions, and how she mainly learned that you need to love what you do, or at least find it fun, because when you do that no obstacles are too hard to keep pushing forward.

I have always felt that way myself, and although today is about my niece, I reflected on my own choices and paths and realized that while at one point I had found the thing I loved to do, now I am a little bit more of a wanderer – seeking that one thing that lights me up. Often times, it is just writing and expressing myself. Sometimes I think my joy is now in spending time with family and sharing creativity with them.

I hope both of my nieces got something out of today’s commencement speech, as I did. It is time for them to grow and make choices in their life that could impact their future. If I have learned anything over the years, there really is no wrong choice if you make it for love of something. It may not lead you down the path you expected, but it will lead you down the path you need to travel. Sometimes with joy, sometimes filled with hardship, in both things they will grow.

Today, I clipped from the YouTube video a fantastic picture of my niece getting handing her college degree. Sorrow, crept over me as I stared at my sister’s daughter and realized she wasn’t physically here to see it, but if I know my sister she is celebrating in heaven. Planning the biggest party for when they all (all her children) one day reunite.

As my other niece, gets ready to graduate from high school. I hope she remembers that it is okay not to know what you want to do in the future. I changed my major six times, and still found myself choosing to go into the military after my college graduation. I found my path through the military, and when my path changed, I found I was resilient enough to change with it. Was it easy? None of it was easy, but I always pursued the things I loved, and when I found them, I found I was also really successful at them. My passion driving me forward.

My sister’s son, and the girl’s brother, found his path in the trades, while raising a family of his own. I cannot wait till the day I see my sister’s face when she is once again with her children. I hope to be witness in heaven to this moment. Although, the moment is so private, that perhaps, it’s best to let them have it alone.

I am so proud of my nieces and nephew, and so grateful for being able to have a close relationship with them. Their mother is always watching them, and she is rooting for their success, and praying for them to overcome their obstacles, now and future ones. I don’t doubt that for a minute.

Congratulations to the new graduate! I can’t wait to watch you grow!