Sunday, May 16

A Proud Moment



Friday and Saturday were spent watching our older daughter get "pinned" and graduate from nursing school. We could not be more proud of her - she accomplished this while caring for six children, a husband, a home, two dogs and two cats. Her original class consisted of over 70 people, but only thirty-some of them made it to graduation. It wasn't easy; so we are doubly proud of her for studying hard and hanging onto her goals!

Here she is with Mr. kenju, the proud father.

The weather cooperated, although it was hotter than Hades - topping out in the high eighties both days. The pinning ceremony took place in a lovely interdenominational church in Pinehurst, NC, The Village Chapel. Many proud parents, children and grandparents were on hand to witness this special moment in a nurse's life.

Graduation Day started out balmy. Our son-in-law had gone to the college early to secure chairs under a large, sheltering tree and we were the envy of those who had to sit in the sun. The sky was a bit cloudy at first, but soon cleared to a brilliant Carolina blue, while light breezes caressed and cooled us. I had not been to a college graduation since the early 90's, when my youngest child got her degree. There was much pomp and circumstance here as well, as professors and various trustees marched in to the strains of the typical music reserved for important ceremonies. Before these began, the college jazz group played selections that made me want to dance and the college choir sang the National Anthem and "Lean on Me", with a few soloists who seemed ready for Broadway. After a few requisite speeches, parents watched their sons and daughters march up to receive their diplomas, all smiling broadly, snapping photos when they could.

We went back to our hotel to check out and then meet the rest of the family for lunch at Chili's, after which we drove back home. It was a perfect day, until...until.....

Mr. kenju asked if I had left his sport coat in the car, and we discovered that it had been forgotten in the closet at the hotel (90 miles away). My name is MUD, since it was my fault. When we went to the hotel on Friday night, he intended to leave his coat in the car, but I didn't know that, and I brought it into the room and hung it in the closet. When we checked out today (in a big hurry) I didn't check the closet, believing that he had it with him. Our son-in-law called the hotel, and was told that housekeeping had gone and would not be back until Monday, so we have to wait until then to see if his sportcoat has been saved/turned in. I'll ask you to keep good thoughts about it. Mr. kenju is really mad at me right now.

Update: the jacket has been found, thank Heaven!!


21 comments:

tiff said...

fortunately it's just a sportcoat and not a liver...or kidney....or something else really important.

Annoying, yes. Life-ending? Not so much.

Peter said...

It all sounded to good to last Judy.. and it WAS.

Gilly said...

Oh dear! Rather spoilt a lovely day!

Still, Mr. Kenju should have checked that you were looking after it! ;)

But what a great daughter you have - how did she manage it???

Sage said...

I once drove 1/2 way across Arkansas to pick up a pocketbook, and 30 miles through the mountains of Colorado for a pillow!

Did she do her nursing at Sandhills?

Tabor said...

I can't count how many times we have left stuff behind in hotels and we travel so much you would think we would catch on. We do now go through every drawer and closet and cupboard even though it might just be an overnight. Your daughter is a precious beauty and I cannot imagine she has 6 children...she looks 18!

Pat said...

Congratulations - like mother like daughter.
Fingers crossed about the jacket - try telling Mr K its not a liver or a kidney;)

Granny Annie said...

Mr. Kenju did not need any more decoration than the beautiful girl graduate. How thrilling to attend such a moment and how exceptional she is to have achieved this against all odds. What the heck is a sports jacket at a time like this?

bobbie said...

Congratulations to your daughter! A very proud moment in your lives I'm sure.

Ginnie said...

Congratulations to your daughter. I know so many people who have tried to do the SCC nursing program and many dropped out. It is one of the best and also one of the hardest.

Nancy said...

Congratulations to your lovely daughter! Mine is just starting the pre-requisites for either nursing or naturopathic medicine. As for the jacket - sending positive thoughts!

Joy Des Jardins said...

How wonderful for your daughter...that's really a marvelous accomplishment Judy. Bravo to her for all that hard work; she's a very special lady. And congratulations to you and Mr. Kenju; who by the way looks very dapper in that pic with his girl. You both did something right...and have every reason to be proud.

I'm sorry about Mr. Kenju's sports jacket. It's a bad feeling when you realize you've forgotten something like that. Is there any way you could call the place and have them send it to you? Or at least save it somewhere when you can find the time to go get it? Just wondering...but I hope it didn't spoil what was a beautiful day for you both. ~Joy xo

robin andrea said...

Congrats to your daughter. What a wonderful accomplishment.

Wishing you good luck with the sport coat. I hope it's been found and turned in at the desk.

Olga said...

Congratulations to your daughter. Nursing school is challenging enough, but to accomplish that with all the added bits of life needing attending to...wow!

Linda said...

Tell Mr. Kenju he's a big boy. He knew you'd brought the coat in, you discussed it.

I can identify with your joy for your daughter. Our daughter is a nurse and I can think of no better career choice.

I'm also impressed by your daughter's accomplishments because I know how hard nursing school can be.

Grannymar said...

Congratulations to your daughter and to you and Mr Kenju for producing her! The couple of days sound wonderful. I am late enough to know the jacket is safe, so no spilt milk!

Jean Campbell said...

Rather than drive 180 miles to pick it up if they found it, ask them if they can send it to you by UPS, Fed-X or USPS. You can arrange to pay from your end and have one of the services pick it up.

I left my coat in a restaurant in Kentucky one. I never told DH, just called them and they mailed it to me.

Jean Campbell said...

Oh, forgot to congratulate your new nurse. Lots of hard work to get there, lots of hard work ahead. She looks capable -- and lovely.

Arkansas Patti said...

Congrats to your determined daughter. Wow, she didn't take the easy path did she.
Nurses are a special breed and as their reward, they can always find work. She and you should be so proud.
Glad I am late for now I know that Mr. Kenju no longer has a reason to be mad. Yipee.

Nancy said...

What an accomplishment. You and Mr. K must be so proud of your wonderful daughter.

Happy the jacket was found.PHEW!

Star said...

Congratulations. You must be one proud mama. That jacket will become a funny anecdote to the whole story before long.

Kay Dennison said...

Glad Mr. K's jacket was found -- I'm never that lucky.

Mucho congrats to your remarkable daughter!!!!!! You have every right to be proud!!!!!