I have approximately 49 bazillion pictures that I am diligently winnowing through in order select only the pictorial highlights so that you are not forced to spent the next five years of your life gazing with glazed eyes through endless Smithellaneous Miscellaneous Family Photos while all the while wondering desperately if they will ever come to an end. (Nothing like a run on sentence with which to start your week.)
I figured the best place to start would be with a few graduation photos since that was the whole reason for this weekend.
This is where the ceremony was held—The Lost Colony amphitheater.
Here is the lovely grad!
Of course, the lovely grad was supported by many members of her family–including these three wonderful people.
Noah spent his time very diligently studying the program and locating Aunt Sarah’s name.
When he had finished with that important task he decided it would be good eat the program for breakfast. Handy things, these programs.
Here’s the rest of the family all lined up and ready to celebrate.
At one point in the ceremony, various honors were awarded to different students–one of which was Sarah. She was one of just ten students in the senior class to be designated a NC Scholar.
To earn that honor, students had to have a 3.5 unweighted GPA on the last day of school along with achieving a lost list of other requirements. She received a gold cord and special seal on her diploma for the honor. Not too bad for a young woman who was told she would have “massive learning disabilities” due to cancer treatment.
Here she is taking The Walk. (The man second from the right is the doctor who listened to his instincts and sent Sarah to have a colonoscopy where the two polyps were found. God bless him!)
This is Anna Thomas. She was Teacher of the Year for 2013-2014 so she had the honor of presenting each graduate with a flower. Having her on the stage was especially meaningful for Sarah since Mrs. Thomas teaches AP English (Sarah’s favorite class) and was also Sarah’s favorite teacher. In addition, she’s from England and you know how Sarah loves all things British!
A little side story: the day after Sarah’s colonoscopy, she went back to school still not feeling quite up to par. Her first class of the day was English and when she arrived in the classroom (a few minutes before the other students) Mrs. Thomas noticed that she wasn’t feeling well. When Sarah told her about the procedure Mrs. Thomas put aside everything she was doing and took the time to comfort Sarah with words and a hug. I love it when knowledge and study and compassion all blend together to make one outstanding teacher. That’s the kind of teacher I can see Sarah becoming.
Now even though graduation was A Big Deal around here this weekend, I realize that Sarah is not the only star of the weekend–we also have a grandson to show off.
Here is a photo of Noah . . .
with his dignified grandparents.
Okay. We finally got ourselves straightened out for this one.
.
And lastly, Nathan and Meagan really loved the photos of Sarah that Stacy took and so they booked a photo shoot with her while they were in town. Here are just a couple shots–I’ll share more later.
Cute, much?
Love. This.
But with all the fun and good times we had this weekend, sadly it’s coming to an end.
My sister, her family, and my mom just pulled out for home (Wisconsin) a few minutes ago. There were many tears and many hugs, especially for me as I said good bye to Mom. When one has a parent near 80 years old, every goodbye hug becomes all the more precious because you don’t know how many more of them there will be.
My sadness was dissipated a little bit, though, when Debbie texted me five minutes ago to say that they had all stopped to dip their toes in the Atlantic on their way out of town. I’m so glad for that lovely memory with which to send them on their way.
Many happy stories and pictures to come . . .
Hi there Becky, Steve and Sarah., I know you all had a wonderfull weekend with all of both of your families there at the house with you … and all of Sarah’s cousins there as well…and then of course you had “the” grandson there…I recall when our first born grandson was born and was a child…now He has surprised me in his love and care for her….at 26 years old he HAS one of his own…last Friday she was 6 weeks old….She is such a tiny thing…weighing in at almost half of what he and his brothers weighed when they were born….it is such a wonder to me that she is so tiny….she rarely cried, but when she did she squeaked more than she cried…well I see that it is my bedtime. I will write more later. Blessings and love in Jesus…Fran in Texas
Fran,
Sounds likes your great granddaughter is so tiny and sweet and precious. Enjoy!
Congratulations to Sarah and her parents! What a great accomplishment for her! She’s one determined young lady, and I can’t wait to see what great things she does in the future. I loved all the pictures, and am anxious to see more. I don’t think you could ever show us too many of your lovely photos! That grandson of yours is sure one photogenic little guy. Thanks for sharing your weekend with us.
Gayle,
I think Noah gets his photogenic qualities from his Aunt Sarah!
I just attended my grandson’s graduation about 2 weeks ago, Becky. He was wearing white cap and gown, designating a 4.0 grade point average. I was so proud…I was proud by proxy of Sarah as well. One smart cookie! You, as a mom, and yeah, me as a gramma, must have done something right (as well as my daughter, who raised Tyler) to have these wonderful young achievers in our families! Go git ’em Tyler and Sarah!
Jojy,
I saw your recent post on FB about your daughter doing such a great son of raising Tyler on her own. I was so proud of her, just reading your words about her.
And a 4.0 average? That is amazing!
You have every right to be one proud grandma!
Love the photo of Sarah and her favorite teacher hugging. You can see the love Sarah has for her in that shot. Noah is a complete doll! Can’t wait to see more. What a great place for a graduation and congratulations many times over to Sarah for all her awards. You go show them some more, Sarah! Oh, you have only just begun!
Mary,
Yes, that amphitheater was truly a special place for the ceremony. So thankful it didn’t rain and send us into the gym!
On a side note Becky I wanted to tell you my daughter graduated this year too. She is coming to Duke and one of these days I’m going to come meet you. You inspireme
Asma,
Congrats on your daughter’s graduation. How wonderful that she’s coming to Duke. Would love to meet you sometime!
Congrats to Sarah. So very happy for your family. Wishing Sarah a bright , happy and healthy future.
Congratulations to a beautiful, smart miracle girl! 🙂
Angela,
Thanks for celebrating t his milestone with us–still hard to believe she took that Walk!
Wonderful photos! i am so impressed by Sarah’s academic success, really very inspiring. She should write a book, ha! Noah is so sweet, thank you for sharing! It’s so hard to watch family leave, it helps a little to have plenty of pictures to pour (pore) (poor) over.
Lesley,
Pore. Pour. Always a tough choice. 🙂 And the last family members left an hour ago so it’s back to our quiet little house. It was hard kissing Noah goodbye at 6 this morning. It’s time to go back and look at this pictures again!
Love and hugs to you! It looks like it was a beautiful weekend.
Jessica,
Love and hugs always happily accepted! 🙂
It sounds like you all had a great weekend! Congratulations Sarah, for a wonderful achievement. What an honor! Love the pictures, but I always get misty-eyed when I see stuff like that. What can I say…..I’m a mush bucket.
Noah is just precious and the pictures are soooo good! I can’t wait to see more! 🙂
LeeAnne,
Glad I’m not the only mush bucket in the world!
I cannot begin to imagine the feelings you and Steve must have had to watch Sarah at graduation. What an unbelievable blessing! Congratulations to Sarah!
Liz,
It was such a great joy to see her walk across that stage, strong, confident, healthy. Grateful.
aha! I heard teacher perhaps in the future for Miss Sarah… an English Teacher…?
Reminds me of the song from Bye Bye Birdie… “an English teacher is really some one;
how proud I’d been if you had become one.”
Congrats to Sarah on being an NC scholar… much credit should be given to her first teacher: Mom! … don’t you think?
cute photos of Noah!
Mrs. Pam,
Well, her first teacher taught her to read but sort of wimped out when it came to math any higher than fifth grade. Glad she had some great teachers in her life to take up the slack.
What a perfect weekend with your family!! And, what an accomplishment for Sarah. God is GOOD…all the time!
I LOVE seeing all your pictures…and I look forward to more.
Have a BLESSED day my friend!
Kim~
Kim,
You know how fun it is to post pictures of one’s kids and grand kids!
Lovely, lovely, lovely. It looks like you had a spectacular weekend to remember forever! And Noah is adorable. Congratulations to Sarah on the amazing achievement! ! I so look forward to reading this blog years from now about the amazing things she experiences and does in her life.
Jenna,
It just occurred to me recently that reading someone’s blog for the long haul is like reading a book where you don’t yet know the ending. I’m so thankful to have readers who come along with us as we live and write our life’s story.
I feel blessed to have met more of your wonderful family! Love to all!
Tammy,
Thanks–my family sure isn’t perfect but they are truly a huge blessing to me.
Great pictures, and a great day! Way to go Sarah… It is so awesome to see my “old” patients growing up and becoming great young people… although I don’t know how that is possible, since I am not getting any older!! 🙂 Can’t wait to see more pictures!!
Tiffany,
I thought I was the only one who wasn’t getting older!