Another Noteworthy Graduation

The days have been speeding by since my oldest son, Paul David, graduated from Law School.

It has already been a month and over the last month so much has happened that I fear it all gets mixed up in my brain like fruit cocktail. I know, such an odd comparison, isn't it? It isn't that fruit cocktail is bad, but each fruit is so tasty separately and then someone had this brilliant idea of throwing them all together in small pieces and adding a bit of sugar and voila! the individual goodness is gone and replaced by the mass mixture.

Very similar to my life over the last month: I turned 60,  my son graduated from Law School, my brother in law visited from Brasil, my nephew rekindled our family closeness, The World Cup, summer began and friendships changed. In a week, another sister- in- law arrives with her husband from Brasil ( my same former husband , same family)

so the slow down isn't here just yet.

Paul has accomplished much in his life and as I reflected on what to say to him in his scrapbook I am finishing of graduation(shhh, it's a surprise!), it occurred to me how important it is to specifically think through what it is you are proud of when commending your children. I think that this is no matter how old they are, how  unworthy you feel, how young they appear, or how small or large the celebration and moment.

Paul is a fine man , graduate of the Air Force Academy, former military officer, having attained the rank of Major, served in Italy,  Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Panama, and even Texas. He was good at his job, I could tell, and  am not just saying that because I am his mom.

Paul was always good at whatever he determined to do, from collecting coins, to writing papers and giving speeches. Of course he was a valued member of our armed services!

His graduation from the Air Force Academy was one of the highlights of his earlier years, and my favorite part was watching as his hat flew high into the air, signifying the end of being a cadet on that beautiful day in May of 1996 , my husband's and my 25th wedding anniversary. Beautiful Moment!!

So it was not with any trepidation that I listened when he unfolded his plans and career change, deciding to go into Law School. Surely he would succeed, just as he always had. The fact that he had a wife now and newborn twin daughters just made it more challenging. He is not afraid of hard work, he is determined, he is one of the smartest men I know, he is a man of faith, he would do well.

This is a picture of the family when he began school, Allison working as much as she could, the girls not pausing from growing and giggling as he studied.

While in school Paul was chosen to be on the Campbell Law Review team, and also among other accomplishments, he entered a  trial team competition and won the award for Best Closing Remarks. Of course, since I raised him, oh so many years ago, it was not with any degree of surprise that I heard that he won this particular award! He won every argument we ever had easily and handily, throughout his childhood, always being careful to show respect as he debated with Mom.

 Family is important to us, so as many as possible decided to attend and support the graduation of Paul in May this year. Tio Xilo and son Pedro arrived from Brasil, sister Rachel flew in from New Mexico, sisters Becca and Margie with their entire families, and brother Andrew and myself all descended on Fuquay-Varina , North Carolina. We were all pleasantly surprised to hear he was graduating Cum Laude and ranking  5th in his graduating class!! We had a BLAST being together!!! Allison's parents came and so did Paul's grandma from Tennessee. I was beaming with pride and adoration through it all.

Why am I proud of Paul?
How can I properly express a heart full of words on a simple reflective blog, then transfer it to his scrapbook? Such a daunting task, yet a simple one too.

I am happy he is going to be a Lawyer and fully expect his success in that field. I was happy he graduated from the Air Force Academy, became a Major, changed careers and pursued another goal. I am happy he studied well and graduated high in his class.

However, my pride in Paul is based on his relationships with his wife and children, now numbering three. Paul's faithfulness in fatherhood over the length of his years on earth will continue to cause me deep pride and joy.  My pride in Paul has a direct connection with his fear of God, his commitment to Jesus Christ, and his pursuit of righteousness as he ages. I am thankful every single day that Paul is guided by God into His Kingdom and that Paul upholds the Laws of God first and foremost.

Simply stated, I am proud to be Paul's mom. I love him.