May 29

Isaac graduated from high school today.

Adam's mom is still recovering from a health challenge she experienced a few weeks back, but his dad came down to join us for the festivities. We started with some of our customary photos in the backyard, and then headed out for an early (4:30) dinner at CPK (where The Works pizza proved to be a crowd-pleaser among the non-Brady menfolk). 

Isaac's ceremony report time was 5:45, so we drove over to Amador as soon as we finished with dinner and got him there just in time. He went inside to prep for the big event while the rest of us got in line to enter the stadium. A little later, we settled into our seats on the bleachers overlooking the football field. It was a surprisingly chilly day for late-May in the Bay (with a high of 65 degrees), so it wasn't exactly warm, but we made it through the two-hour ceremony in good spirits, partly aided by the impressive job done by one of the teachers tasked with reading graduate names. Mr. Robbins (who was Isaac's English teacher this year) has this booming, theatrical voice and he really gets into his duties, which absolutely added entertainment value to what could otherwise be dry proceedings.

Isaac was in one of the later groups to walk the stage, and my heart leapt into my throat when the name of the teacher he chose to hand him his diploma was called. (They graduate in groups according to their chosen teacher, not via ABC order.) I watched him edge closer to the podium; his friend Alex --with whom he played baseball for years-- was just in front of him and by happenstance we were sitting right next to his family, so we all screamed when Alex walked. And then a moment later, when Isaac's name was called, we all screamed again. And then I watched as he crossed the stage, paused briefly for a photo with his diploma holder and then strode back to his seat on the field. 

Afterward, once we found him, there were more photos and some sibling joviality (after he secured a cap and tassel. He threw his and then couldn't find it, but Tyler gave him his extra tassel. And he got a hat... somehow. Oh, and no, Brady is not taller than Isaac. This is an optical illusion). And then we all headed back home. Although some of his friends opted to go to the Grad Night party sponsored by the school, Isaac took a pass because he thought he'd be tired and wanted to get some good sleep. And in keeping with that stated desire, shortly after Adam's dad headed back to Lafayette and Adam, Abby, and Brady retired to bed, he changed into his pajamas and came back downstairs to sit with me for a few minutes in the quiet of the family room. (He does that sometimes; just comes and sits.) I asked him if there was anything he wanted to talk about and he said no; he just came to sit. So I let him. And after a few minutes, he got up, came over to give me and hug, and thanked me for being his mama. And I hugged him back and since he doesn't like it when I say I'm proud of him, I told him that I'm pleased with how he's choosing to let God lead his life. Because I am.

Isaac is a remarkable young man. He's intelligent and he thinks deeply about difficult questions. Even when he was very young and struggled to communicate his thoughts and feelings at times, there was always a soulfulness in his eyes that told me that he was far more complex than he seemed. Although he's had his troubles over the past few years, he continued seeking God and asking Him the hard questions. And although I know he doesn't have all of the answers he'd like to have, I know the Lord has blessed him with wisdom beyond his not-quite-18 years. 

So tonight, I remember the sweet boy he once was; my darling little chunky truck who loved giving Brady his pa-e-chowuh and massacred bowls of peas like no one else. And I celebrate the young man he is, because he is well-worthy of celebration.

Congratulations on your graduation, Isaac. I love you so very much.