Graduation, already?

This picture makes me laugh!  And it sums up my feelings about college graduation.  It snuck up on me.  And I was so excited!  (I love how your children reflect your feelings!) Wasn't I just preparing for high school graduation?  Don't misunderstand me, I knew it was coming.  I've been prepping everything that goes along with the celebration for awhile. And having just gone through our best friends daughters graduation last month at Chico State, (way to go Erin!) it's not like I didn't know what to expect.  But here's the deal ... there were so many emotions! I was so happy for Parker - his accomplishment and this new stage of his life, but there were so many other feelings!  There are lots of reasons, of course, but here's the bottom line ... Parker 's path to graduation was bumpy.  Sure, every college student has challenges. Why is it no one talks about this rocky road? So there is one thing I want to share: use the resources of parents who have gone before you.  Dig.  Investigate. Talk - to anyone who will listen.  We didn't start talking and digging until sophomore year. That's when we discovered Parker could qualify for students with disabilities because he's a type 1 Diabetic.  That means extra time to take tests, a pre-determined time and place to test, the ability to check your blood sugar at any time and the opportunity to eat and drink, if needed.  And this was big for him.  It made the difference between not passing a class and passing it.  And the only reason we even discovered this possibility was because I started talking ... talking to people about what was going on. 

Parker was blessed to have the support of so many people - family, friends, and strangers.  If someone in your life has a similar challenge, start talking.  It could mean the difference between a degree in something just to get it done and a degree in a field they are passionate about!