Hey, kids, it’s Dad. Today is an awesome day at the Clifford’s. Tommy graduates from high school! What an amazing event!
I could not be prouder of you and your accomplishments. You have followed in the footsteps of your 2 big sisters. Each of you shines in your own personal way. Watching this growth has been a pleasure.
Tommy, Today is all about you! Bask in the glory…
I LOVE YOU!
Hey Kids it’s Dad, and today I want to talk about something really special that happened at Clara’s graduation. I went there expecting to be a teary eyed mess watching my daughter cross the stage. I was certainly a teary-eyed mess, but not for that reason. Sometimes it’s the unexpected things that catch you off-guard. This unexpected tender moment happened when Clara’s elementary school friend Richard took the stage to get his certificate. You see Richard has special needs and is been in a wheelchair all his life. Clara and Richard have been good friends since fourth grade. Clara would sit next to him at lunch and went over all just be his friend. Clara has always had a warm spot in her heart for Richard.
OK back to the story. So when Richard’s mom wheeled him up to the podium to get his diploma, the whole audience was silent. One of the people on stage brought Richards walker up so he could walk to get his diploma. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house with yours truly leading the way. It was an amazing moment. Sadly Richard was not able to completely walk to get his diploma. But that’s not the point of the discussion. The point is how high of a mountain he had to climb to get where he was. I’ve been to high school, I know the amount of effort needed to graduate. And I know many of those kids coasted through high school, I know I did.
But then I look at Richard, and what he was able to accomplish. He did things no one thought he would ever be able to do and now he’s a high school graduate!
Kids we all have mountains to climb. But we need to give it our all. Richard gave everything he had to get where he is today. We all need to use Richard as our example. We all need to be a lot more like Richard!
Hey Kids, it’s Dad and today is Clara Eleanor Clifford’s High School Graduation day. What a joy to be able to attend and watch her shine. Today is all about you and your magnificent achievements. You are graduating #3 in your class. You make your mom and I so proud!
You are such a light to the world and everyone who meets you – knows exactly why. Keep Shining bright Clara!
Madeline graduates today and I’m just full. Full of pride, love and of course tears for the moment. I’m such a sap and I know it but watching your oldest end her public school career is something just amazing and I’ll get to see it first hand tonight.
I can not wait to see what comes next. The sky’s the limit here Madeline and I love you so much!
I’m reading Tina Fey’s book Bossy Pants and stumbled on a great quote from long time SNL producer Lorne Michaels
“We don’t go on because we’re ready; we go on because it’s 11:30”
We need to be ready to go on. We need to plan and be prepared. As prepare for high school graduation, or a play, or choir concert or dance recital, we all have to be ready. The show must go on and waits for no one!