graduaton festivities

Hello, from the dad of this H-bunch!

I'm reporting live from the high school graduation festivities of our oldest (and most highly decorated) H-daughter!

The secretary of family communications, aka the normal author of this blog, aka "Momma" asked me to post a note for her here. She said she'd tried to post but was unable to access the blogger account for the past day or two...some block or something...I probably wouldn't understand and certainly couldn't explain to you, the reader. My first instinct to repair a communication problem like this would be to check the tin can...if it's OK, the string is probably just not tight enough. Momma will get to the bottom of it and she'll be back to you here just as soon as she can.

So she and the youngsters are at work and school as usual. I on the other hand, am visiting my Mom and Dad, my oldest son and his wife, and my oldest daughter on this occasion of her graduation. Wow is it quiet at night here! So far no little kids have climbed into bed with me since I've been here...it's surreal. So often there are at least a couple of little ones that join us each night at some point. I'm usually the one that wakes first to deal with the drink of water, the bathroom visit, or the boogieman scare. I hope Momma is getting enough sleep this week!

Our graduate is a highly, highly decorated scholar, and an accomplished musician and vocalist as well. It has been so wonderful to see her blossoming in so many leadership roles...I feel a need to confess a great deal of pride right now--there, I'm over it--well, not really! She's awesome! Her grad ceremony is tonight, and in just a couple of days she will fly back with me to join the rest of her fan club (all of her younger sisters and brother). Good times!

It has been such a blessing to spend time with my oldest son and his wife, who are moving into their new home in less than a week. They are a wonderful pair. They just competed together in a multi-athalon this weekend. Nine and one half hours of off-road biking, cross- country running, and hacking through the woods with a map and compass. Oh, to be young again. They placed well, and best of all, they could walk the next day! Cool! I'm so thankful for the decisions they are making as a young couple. Again, I confess pride.

The time with my parents has been priceless. Dad was just released from the hospital three days ago, and he is still not feeling too well at all. But we have watched a few episodes of "the price is right," we've visited with the kids, and we've talked, unimpeded by tin cans or strings. Mom is great. I have enjoyed conversations with her, and I've enjoyed her cooking, too. She is walking great on the reconstructed feet. She is sharp, well organized, and busy. Mom is like the EverReady bunny! She helps dad with his meds. She cooks for his special diet. She keeps the house up and manages mountains of insurance/hospital/doctor bills, etc. I can't keep up with her. Sunday she told me that I drive like an old woman! Mind you, I was doing the speed limit at the time, and as she said it, an old woman blew past us at about mach 3! "That's the way we get around here," she said. Mom, you'd better slow down or I'll be forced to take your keys or put a governor on your mini-van!

Gotta go...graduation ceremonies soon...Momma will be bogging again soon...Dad out...