Pomp and Circumstance
When my daughter was three, she set goals for herself: to play violin, and to go to Paris. I don't know why she wanted these things. When I was three, I'm pretty sure all I wanted was a puppy and a big fat slice of cherry pie (my mother says no, I was determined to go to Mount Holyoke College, the beautiful campus we used to drive around, and I did, so… I guess my daughter gets it from me).
Not quite three, but she was such a cute baby!
In her tenth year (5th grade), my daughter finally got her hands on a violin. Thank goodness we moved to our town, a town that places great value on music education in public schools (and where do you find that these days?). Is it a coincidence that my town has an almost unheard of 98 % graduation rate? She learned with the orchestra (orchestra program begins in fourth grade here), but she also taught herself so well that she won the Orchestra award in 8th grade. This is why we stayed in this town, even though my husband drives 45 minutes to work each morning, and then back. All worth it. (And ending soon, he says with relief, as we prepare to move closer to his work). 
She plays for hours a day, all on her own, because she loves it. By high school, we hired a private teacher so she could refine her technique. And now, she's going on to the university she chose for their outstanding orchestra (among other strengths, like a semester long UN internship).
2nd from right, ready for Carnegie Hall
Paris? Not as fortunate. The French club trip she was supposed to take last year was delayed, and eventually cancelled, due to a volcanic eruption in Iceland. I know she will get there one day. And then her graduation was postponed due to damage from tornadoes in the area. But it finally came! She graduated on Sunday morning, and I was beaming with pride. Beaming! And shedding a few tears of joy.
Paris? Delayed.
Don't tell her, (well, she knows) but she has always been one of my heroes. She does not understand the word "no" (which, believe me, can be very trying for her mother). The girl knows who she is, what she wants, and how to set goals and achieve, and she always has (something I believe she has in common with other Whine offspring). And I admire her beyond imagination.
Elissa and her proud mom
Some highlights of her high school years:
Playing at Carnegie Hall.
Playing at Philadelphia's Kimmel Center.
Being part of the best high school orchestra in the country (It's true- they won the American Prize for their performance at Carnegie Hall. They've also won Grammy awards. Seriously!).
Raising $25,000 with the Asian Studies and Key Clubs for Red Cross relief efforts following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan by making and selling origami paper cranes
Making friendships that will last a lifetime (this last one sounds so trite, but I value my friends (and family) more than anything in my life, and she does the same).
Well, I could go on but I will stop there. I'm very proud and she is awesome. And now, she has graduated, will be turning 18, and I have to face the fact that I have two grown children. OMG. I have two grown children! What now? (takes a minute to dream of all the writing time in her future).
Do you have children? What are their recent milestones? Are you in awe of how fast time passes? What are your empty nest plans, if you have them? Do you remember your graduation, and did you follow your high school dreams or make new ones along the way?
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