Riding The Wave – Multiple Myeloma

Montana

“Mommy – I can’t wait until I grow up and have blond hair and blue eyes like you.” – Tani, Age 4

Montana and I were getting ready together for our day in my bathroom. I was putting on my makeup and she was preparing for me to do pigtails or a braid, whichever trend she was into at that moment. It was one of those sweet moments where you are deeply touched that she wants to be like you, but also taking the opportunity to tell her that she is more beautiful just the way she is. She has the most beautiful golden yellow eyes and perfect hair that our hairdresser and I used to be jealous of. Not too thick, not too thin, beautifully curly if she did nothing and easily straight if she wanted. A gorgeous, easy smile and a zest for life that makes you want to start over, just to have a piece of what she seems to have.

Friday, this little girl is graduating from college. Emotions for me are broad and mixed. I’m sure those of you who have been there understand. She is our baby and we are immensely proud. But a baby no more, moving forward appropriately into the next phase of her life. She has a job she is excited about, a new apartment ready to move into with some Sorority Sisters and feels confident and secure in what the world has waiting for her. How lucky are we? Very. Of course, Dave and I are always acutely aware of how much sweeter these things are in our life now. I’m sure we would have enjoyed them immensely, but when you almost missed it, it just seems sweeter somehow.

Dave’s parents and big brother Hudson will be coming. Friends and Godparents will be joining us in the festivities of such an important day in the life of someone we have all known since she was born and are excited to celebrate her accomplishments.

It is times like these that I reflect on my own grandparents and parents and think how incredibly proud they would be of Montana, and of Dave and I, as their children and grandchildren raising their own and getting them through life’s hurdles to this point. I’m not sad they aren’t here to share it with me, though I wish they were. I’m satisfied and comforted knowing that they would be extremely proud of her and us, as a family. She is one of their legacies. She comes from a long line of wonderful people, and it shows.

So we will race around trying to find a place to park and get to the venue on time, meet up with her, hug her, take some pictures and bask in the joy on her face and that of her fellow graduates and friends. The giddiness that they all feel. The silliness while waiting for their name to be called. The lovely speeches by classmates that often make us laugh. The walk, the handshake, all of it. I can’t wait. Then racing around again to make our luncheon reservation down the road for some good food and meeting up with more to share in the moment.

After that, a wedding the following day. Our friend and ‘Nanny’, as she likes to be called – her eldest son is getting married. It will be a ‘daycare’ reunion of some magnitude and it will be a total crackup! All Ms. Colson’s ‘kids’ are coming. The ones who invaded poor Larences’ life and home all those years as a teenager. They are all grown and married and so on. I’m surprised Larence is letting them in the door! Then I will be driving to Pennsylvania to my grandparent’s farm where my sister and nephew live, along with my Aunt and cousins and old friends from long ago. I will enjoy the whirlwind visit and catching up with everyone. Back to Maryland to help Montana get moved into her new digs and squared away for beginning her new job in June. Then back home and probably a little melancholy that my children are so far from me. I don’t know what the next years will bring in terms of that, they are young and changes will continue to occur in their lives. My prayer is that we end up closer to one another at some point. I’m confident that it will present itself in its own good time. In the meantime….. WOOHOO! YOU GO GIRL!

Tags: celebration, family, friends, graduation, montana