In The Blink of an Eye

It seems like I just graduated from college.

I recently shared with you the above photo of my alma mater, University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB).

Yesterday morning, I sat by the UCSB campus lagoon (just feet from the ocean) and watched my daughter, my firstborn, graduate in the exact same location I did just a (short?) time ago. 

It was deja vu in the strongest sense of the word.

I know this is not a "mommy" blog and I rarely write about my kids/family here.  I don't write about my kids because they're old enough to share their own personal stories with who they want, when they want.  Also, I'm very protective of them and blasting their photos and personal information all over the world doesn't make me feel very secure about their safety.  (I know YOU are wonderful, but I do get an occasional nut-job visiting 24.)

I am, however, bursting with emotion over yesterday's event.

There is pride, and happiness, of course.  My daughter graduated from college which is something to be very proud of in the first place.  She put my college GPA to shame while getting her degree and, additionally, minored in a secondary field.  In addition, she was part of the University of California Honors Program, and graduated with the highest honors - all in only three years. 

So, excuse me for having a "mom moment" today, but I am just so proud of all she has accomplished!

She will be living with us here in The OC for a short while and, of course, I'm thrilled about that too.

But the moment was also bittersweet.  She was recently accepted, and given a scholarship, to a graduate school three thousand miles away.  In a few short weeks, she will be moving across the country, far from home.  *sniff*

I'm warning you in advance, I'll be a crazy mess and puddle of tears when the time comes to see her off.

For today, however, I need to finish unpacking, get caught up on chores, and begin editing the zillions of photos I took over the weekend.

© Twenty Four At Heart

Comments

[Deidre]

Congratulations 24's daughter! What an achievement :)

[tonya cinnamon]

congrats!!!!! its always a rare and special moment to your kidlet walk across the stage and just to think you made a special part of them :)
and now graduate school!
grins congrats indeed!!!!!!:)
savor the moment mom you've earned it !!:D

[Maureen@IslandRoar]

Congratulations, you proud mom you! Sounds like she is on her way to big things. I'm very happy for you Suzanne. When we do this job well we sort of work ourselves out of it, don't we? I'm sure she'll always need you in some way. Enjoy this time she's home before she takes flight once more.

[Jan]

Congratulations to your lovely daughter and to YOU, for a job well done!

[di]

I can feel your joy right through this computer screen. Let me know if you plan to be visiting her in the future and if she will be anywhere near my part of the world. Maybe we could get together. *smiles*

[Jenny in MN]

Congrats! You deserve a huge mommy moment for this occasion! I know the feeling of wanting to burst from a child's success. One of the most wonderful feelings ever! Congrats to your daughter for being such a fantastic and dedicated student. That is not an easy thing to accomplish.
:)

[Pam]

Congratulations to your daughter! Wow, the UC Honors Program in 3 years? Very impressive! Good luck to her in grad school. :)

[LPC]

Congratulations! Graduation is great, having plans for after graduation even better. Dying to hear where your daughter will be. Mine's in New Jersey, working. I miss her a lot.

[Kelly]

Awwwwwww! That is really something to be proud of - graduating with honors from the UC Honors program is no small feat. And in only three years? How could you NOT be having a mom moment? Congratulations to her and to you also for doing such a great job raising her!

[Tami]

Congratulations to both of you. Sounds like she is VERY smart just like her mom!

[Amy_in_Stl]

That's awesome! I definitely didn't graduate with honors; but I felt glad to finally graduate after 6 years. (Such a slacker!)

When I moved to the East Coast my mom used that as an excuse to take vacations and visit me more often. Now that I'm back in my hometown; I kind of miss our long weekends that we spent together.

[Sandi]

I am crying right along with you! There is no greater feeling than seeing your kids succeed! WOOHOO "TWENTY FOUR BABY NUMBER ONE!" (I won't out her ID)

[Linda Tustin]

Suzanne, I am so happy for you and your daughter. Relish the moments and take a moment to give yourself a little pat on the back. Believe it or not- some of the most successful people in the world had great mothers and your daughter sounds like she is one of them.

[Siren]

Aw, it's sweet to see your sweet side. And that look on your face as you watched her? I've been on the receiving end of that look and I can assure you it feels as awesomely sappy to get it as it does to give.

Thanks for breaking out into a proud-mom moment; I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy about my own mom-type now. In fact I think I have to go hunt her down and do the embarrassing huggy thing.

[Karen]

Congratulations to your daughter!! and WOW, what a campus.

[Sugar Jones]

My second oldest just graduated from high school. Last fall, my oldest graduated from pastry school. Like you, I still feel like I'm 24 at heart, so it's all been very surreal. I'm excited for them to move on to the next phases in their lives, but in the back of my mind, I think, wow... we were all just playing with pails and shovels at the beach, weren't we?

Congratulations to you and your "baby". :)

[Jenn in Tenn]

Congratulations to you AND the lovely graduate!! And don't apologize for having your "mom moment"! You have earned it!!

[Michelle Pixie]

Congrats to all of you! It makes me sad to think one day my girls will grow-up and leave me. You have done a great job and should be very, very proud!