Hi, now you brought tears to MY eyes...my daughter will be graduating next year with a double degree.  And I'm going to be right in the front.  Thanks for the beautiful picture, what a joyous time for both of you!

Congratulations to  the class of 2007

Thank You Carole- she definitely surprised me, and it spoke volumes. Yes it made me cry in a big way! I am very, very proud of my daughter.

AWESOME POST!!!  I'm such a family Mom it's scary!  There is nothing that touches our lives more than being together and doing something as a FAMILY!  Thank you for sharing your love, joy, and a piece of yourself to so many strangers.  KUDOS from Tampa, FL

Very nice Allison. You must be so proud. You women are so emotional:) 

Thank You Susie

She is a remarkable young woman. 

Indeed Broker Bryant- we are. 

For anyone who has ever struggled, gone through a life changing event, questioned their parenting abilities, had to go it alone, raised a child by yourself, sacraficed to make it happen, and helped their child to become the person you know they were destined to become with your help, guidance, perserverence, and determination....kudos! 

Powerful blog....you have every reason to be busting with pride.  Congratulations to your daughter on her achievement and to you for guiding her on the right path!  (My son lives in Orlando and has just started classes at UCF - I hope I get to have the "proud moment" someday.) Thanks for sharing Allison.

Wow Peggy what a small world- she is attending UCF  for her pre-law degree. She is a junior.  Thank you, she is a remarkable young woman and ys, I am very proud of her and what sh has accomplished.

There is nothing that evokes more pride than watching the accomplishments of your children.  No industry award, no amount of money...nothing.

I am a very avid trout fisherman, and I pride myself on being able to catch trout practically every single time I go out.  However, since I started taking my kids out with me, I just don't have the same sense of accomplishment as when I take them along and they catch something.

I even went so far as to go with the fish commission this year to help stock so that I would know where the big ones are to be able to give my kids a chance to land a monster.  Now, I spend most of my time out with them, not fishing, but trying to put them into position to enjoy success.

The pride I see on their face can't replace any feeling I get doing anything else.  To have your daughter graduate with the highest honors makes it seem strange that your chest in your picture hasn't exploded with pride.  I know my sure would!

Congratulations Allison!  We're just starting the process your daughter has successfully completed.  That was so neat & beautiful how she signed those special words to you!  I know it meant a lot.

Allison...

I have had these same feelings towards our Sons but don't tell Blog Boy (Broker Bryant) that I had an emotion :)

TLW...ROAR!

Allison,

I experienced that pride and emotion watching my son graduate from West Point Military Academy class of 2005.  It was made more emotional by the commencement speakers statement that this was the first class that had the opportunity to back out of their commitment to serve another 5 years and most likely go to Iraq, and that no one did.  My son has been to 5 funerals in the last two months for classmates and friends. 

Fran

Allison,

I'm really touched and I'm with you in spirit.  With a daughter of my own, I truly understand and it's beautiful.  Congrats to her and you too - you must be so proud!!!

Congratulations Allison...what a lovely post!

Thanks Steven

You are so right!  The time we spend with our children as they grow, develop, and gain experience, does matter. It is those "moments" etched in time which will endure in difficulties, as well as in the triumphs of their accomplishments. Thank you for the lovely comments.

FRAN

Your comment is timely and profound. To have your son graduate from such a prestigeous place as West Point is something to be very proud of, especially with the war in Iraq. I am so sorry at his young age, he is losing friends so soon.... I will keep him in our thoughts and prayers for a safe return.

Thank you Lisa!  It was the best gift in the world! 

Thank you Lola- she is my pride and joy.

TLW-aka Billie  and all the while, you've had blog bloy fooled!  It takes a little lady with a great big heart to raise  twins...I can only imagine how much I will cry when my twins follow in their big sisters foot steps.

Congratulations MOM! I know how you feel, my son graduated in Dec. and I was the proudest Father there!

That is soo cool!  Congrats!

Thanks Caleb! 

Allison... my wife has taught all of our children ASL from an early age. This post had tears running down my face. Thank you.

Thank you Jeff for taking the time to read my post and for the beautiful comment you left.- It may not have won a gold star, but  she is the jewel in my crown. While no where near fluent, I have been a fan of Helen Keller ever since I could remember. I made a point to teach the children (all three) a few important signs...this being the most important one of all. Mother's Day came early this year and left a memory I will cherish for the rest of my days.

We're a bunch of big crybabies ... you got me, too!  What a great bond you must have.

I LOVE IT!!! No real estate stuff. My daughter will have achieved her RN in Long Beach, CA this winter. I am so very proud of her. What a special relationship you and your daughter have. How proud I am to have the same loving and caring relationship with my beautiful, smart daughter. Thanks for sharing,

We're so much more involved with our children's milestones and successes than our own - and our grandchildren's. We're a step removed, so can more easily cry and laugh and love.

Nice post, very powerful.

Your post touched me as I have tried to teach ASL to all my Kinder kids at school.  Even the non-English kids can find a tactile way to communicate this universal language.  Thank you for sharing Allison and all the best to your wonderful daughter.

Congratulations; it is so apparent that you are proud of your daughter, and you should be! BUT..you should be proud of yourself, as well. You raised a beautiful, accomplished, bright young lady. YOU. Many blessings for her future!

This one touched me so much that I just had to call you. You described your feelings with such emotion. Wishing you a lifetime of wonderful memories with this beautiful,thoughtful and brilliant daughter. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.........Congratulations proud Mama!

Thank you Julia for those lovely comments. I hope I am an instrument in her success.

Thank you Margaret

Mother's Day arrived a little early this year- but will last a lifetime. We all have such hope when our children are born. We wonder where life will take them. We ponder our own mortality and ability with uncertainty. We manage the best we can, the most we can, and beyond what we can, to provide them with a sense of unconditional love, well being, safety, strength, unity, endurance, determination, and validation. And for years and years we worry, wait and hope it is all "in there" waiting to be tapped. Our children are our world.

They help us to define who we are as human beings, and what we are capable of teaching them. In the end we will be the ones learning from them and the many doors we have helped them walk through in our journey.

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day a little early this year- but will last a lifetime.

Happy Mother's Day every day!

What a wonderful post.  You have every reason to be proud.  My son is living in the Orlando area attending film school at Full Sail, and for the first time in his life is loving school and can't wait to go back after he's had a chance to visit us at home.  He's finally proud of himself, and of course it goes without saying that I'm proud of him.

Your post brought tears to my eyes, as well.  We really *are* a bunch of crybabies aroud here!

Happy Mother's day to all.

Jeannie- we are human-it brings tears to my eyes too everytime I think about it. But they are not tears of sadness-they are tears of maternal love and pride.  Good luck to your son- I am sure he will continue his success having found his passion! 

Allison...I just popped in to share a "Motherly" moment with you from one Mutha to Anotha :)

Wishing you the best for today and all the other special days to come. TLW...ROAR!

You done well in raising your daughter.....You've accomplished something every parent should want for there kids, a College education. Nice going MOM!

-TLW -Great Tune   Thank you. We have certainly survived the trial and tribulations of double trouble

My hat is off to you...it is no easy task. At least my oldest is on her way to having all of her dreams come true. And the twins... there are getting there keeping me "forever Young" at heart at least!

Happy Mother's Day!

Thank you ALL for the lovely comments and good wishes.

John

Teri-

Lori

Randy

Sarah

Allison:  Your post brought tears to my eyes for not only did it bring back the memory of my son graduating and how proud I was at that moment (I'll never forget it) but it's also mothers day!  Our children are such a gift...enjoy them every day!  Moms Rock!!

Congratualtions!  Who says there aren't any good kids out there.