Think Different, Act Different, Be Different

I flew miles and kilometers from home to be with my daughter for her graduation.

Yes....as parents, we always make it a point to be there for our kids --- not only for their kindergarten concert, their primary school sports, their secondary school basketball tournaments, their college speech day, their university graduation ceremony.....but also when their results fall short of the glory that's supposed to be, or when they have growing pains or when they need a hand, a heart, an ear or just some new idea for life!

Yet....as I reflect on this graduation day....it seems a little strange. There are no balloons falling from the sky, no champagne flowing, no wrapped gifts given to celebrate this moment. Only one bouquet of flowers that stands unceremoniously in a coffee cup by the side of the kitchen sink amongst the fruits, veges and dried dishes!

My daughter is not concerned.
I apologise for not being a celebrative family, but she's ok with it.
She sincerely thinks that external things like congratulatory messages, celebrative parties, words of praise and affirmation are nice but...

She does not tag on her worth and value on these externals.
She does not rely on them to assure her and give her confidence.
She knows within herself her answer to: Who am I?
And she does not need others to tell her who she is!

(But if others want to celebrate, she'll be happy to go along too!)

As for me, we will go out for dinner ---- not merely to have a nice family photo for the album, but to celebrate her growth and maturity as a young woman.

She faced life's physical, emotional and spiritual challenges with zest and stoic grace!
Bought a DIY bicycle then upgraded to a 1990 car, played a broken guitar for group activities, experimented with cooking and baking and making jams, got a scuba-diving certificate while supposedly working hard in the hospital, made friends and attracted the friendless!

4 years of independence.......

Will she be able to survive life in her parents' presence after this??? Hmmm.....