“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it.”
Ferris Bueller, 1986
When you are in the midst of raising four kids, the chaos feels like it will never end. The incessant noise around the house, sports practices, school events, taxiing kids around town. It’s easy to lose sight of the big picture, because just like that, one by one, they go off to college. And before you know it, then there is none. Nearly forty years after the movie was released, those words uttered by Ferris himself have never rung more true for me.
Our youngest daughter, Abigail, walked across the stage at San Diego State University this past May and received her degree. As you can tell from the lead photo, it was an accomplishment for both of us. Abbey did all the work of toughing it out in the classroom, but I felt my own sense of relief seeing our youngest make it through college. While we were all smiles at the graduation, getting there was an adventure. There were plenty of ups and downs along the way, but at the end of the day, as it always seems to, it all worked out.
More impressive than Abbey’s graduation is how she got here. Ever since I can remember, she wanted to be a teacher. I can’t remember how many times I walked by her bedroom and overheard her ‘teaching’ her dolls. It’s satisfying to see someone who knows what they want to do, and then get to watch them go out and achieve their goal. I’m very happy for Abbey, and her accomplishment is something that she should always be very proud of, especially since these journeys rarely go in such a straight line.
And since that graduation day, things have continued to move quickly over the past few months. In August she landed her own classroom. It was so cool to see the picture she sent of her name on the door. Graduating with your credentials is one thing, but getting to put them to use and begin your career so soon after graduation is next level. Needless to say, I am beyond happy for her and looking forward to seeing her develop into a great educator. Teaching can be a difficult and thankless job, but it is such an important profession. Teachers have a significant influence on and play an important role in the lives of the kids they teach. It’s a heavy responsibility, but one I am certain that Abbey can handle.
Well, Abbey, you did it. I’d wish you good luck, but I am firm believer that good luck comes to those who work hard. And given how hard you work at what you put your mind to and your knack for getting things done, I know you’ll be fine. Just as it was with your older sisters and brother, it’s been a pleasure and a joy to watch you grow and mature from a child into a self-sufficient adult. So instead of wishing you good luck, I’d like to wish you a hearty congratulations and all the best!
And just like that, after 32 years, there was none.