Congratulations are in Order!

Today my brother, sister and cousin graduate from college. They have taken different routes to be where they are today, since none of them are the same age, but they made it nonetheless, and I am equally proud of all three of them. My cousin is the little one in the picture above, my sister the taller of the two girls. My brother should be fairly obvious I hope.

My sister, Claye, is graduating with an art major, and I already have several of her works in my home. I'm so proud when people come over and ask about them; I love how surprised they are when I tell them that those pots were handmade by my sister. No, no Wal-mart craft aisle purchases these. There is also a beautiful Celtic calender that I'm trying to figure out how to frame. Claye has her own way of doing things, and she's fiercely independent, but those are characteristics that are not too uncommon in the art world, so I guess it all makes sense now. We drove each other nuts as little girls trying to share a room, home and family, but we're good friends now, and I wouldn't change my sister even if I could. She is not the kind of lady who will ever be forced into another person's mold, which is fine with all the rest of us. I'm not sure what Claye will do next year, and she isn't either, but I hope that whatever it is she doesn't let it make her stop using the gifts that God has undoubtedly given her.

My brother, Elijah, will probably walk today, and his name may or may not be on the list, but he is technically graduating with a degree in Vocal Music Education. We think. He still has a class or two to finish this summer, hence the uncertainty. Those of you who know Elijah will not be at all surprised that this is the state of things the morning of his college graduation, but the important thing is, he is graduating. He made it. Don't get me wrong, Elijah is a very intelligent, talented guy, but he does things on his own time schedule which doesn't always mesh well with the university mentality. I know that my baby brother is applying to teach at several schools (which is a very weird feeling, yes) but he's also playing in at least two bands, possibly three. I lose track. While I am unable to display his compositions on the wall, as I can Claye's, they are in my computer, and I look forward to having them on a cd someday, too. Elijah has been composing music for years now, and I love listening to it. He has written things that made me cry. I don't know what he'll do with his life either, but it's going to be amazing, and it's probably going to be done at the last possible minute of each deadline.

I don't think my cousin has a blog name yet. Hmmm. What about, Suzanne? OK, my cousin Suzanne is graduating across the state from my siblings this morning, at my own Alma Mater, actually. She now has a degree in Computer Programming. I think; well, it involves computers and I do not understand it. And that is just something to which everyone who knows Suzanne has become accustomed, Not understanding exactly what she is able to do, that is. Suzanne is brilliant. She amazed us as a little girl, well, a baby even. She was reading at an incredibly (so incredible you wouldn't believe me if I told you anyway. Really.) early age, and understanding difficult concepts and connections as well. She is very sensitive and easily frightened, and I'm sure we hurt her when we were all children playing together, but we certainly never intended to do so. We were and are so proud of her and her accomplishments, and it doesn't surprise me at all to hear that she is graduating at the tip top of her program, college etc...

The absolute best thing about all three of these loved ones, is that I know they are all still close to God, and that is not going to change. They have accomplished something that is becoming increasingly difficult, and that is making it through our university system with their faith intact. I don't know what the future holds for any of them, and they don't either, but whatever it is will be fantastic.

Today we're having a graduation party for all three of them at my parent's house, so consider yourself invited if you're reading this and would like to come.