Mom's first-born child graduate's high school

...and survived to tell about the day.

It begins with Mom arriving at her son's high school graduation.  

She sits under the blazing sun. 

With time to reflect on a mother and son journey of a 17 year life together.

Her son walks out and at that moment she realizes she can't stop time. The day has come.

She has to let go.

She already mailed out graduation announcements.

Bid farewell to the Princes of Prom.

Her prince had aura (Gen Z's word, not mine) that day.

Had a pre-celebratory dinner with her dad.  They had limited tickets to graduation and Grandpa doesn't like to drive at night anymore since his eyes aren't what they used to be.

On the last day of school, Mom realized she never made his haircut appointment.  It was too late now. His hair was all over the place.

Like Mom's emotions at the ceremony.  They call out her son's name. 

She looks to her right.  Dad was happy.  Sad.  Happy.  Sad.

She looks to her left.  Brother was melting.

Then sister asks, "Where are we going for dinner?"

And just like that.  It was over.

It wouldn't be a graduation celebration without fireworks.

Or a giant money tie.

Or a family picture.

Her son spent 5 minutes taking pictures with her, then 25 minutes with his friends.

His friend group seemed to get larger.

And larger.

Mom was at a lost for words.  She couldn't think of anything inspirational to say to him at the moment. 

And it was ok. 

She had said enough.  

She was sure her 17 years of pearls of wisdom would resonate somehow, sometime, not all at once, but when the time was right during her son's journey into trying to figure out life.

Mom's only wish was that his journey would always lead back to her one way or another.

(Her son always did have the aura).