Proud Parents; Happy Daughter

Today was a good day. It was a day that many parents ponder as they stare in wonder and disbelief at their newborn child. No, not a wedding, but a college graduation! Such miracles do occur! I can attest to it. My eldest daughter, Ella, did it this evening. Her name was called, loud and clear, from the platform of the Waikiki Shell in Honolulu's Kapiolani Park, and she walked across and received her BA degree in Psychology. At that moment she became an alumnae of Hawaii Pacific University (which will, starting later this year, begin asking her for financial contributions to the alumni/ae fund at ridiculously frequent intervals).

I sat out front next to my mother (visiting from California for the occasion), Ella's best friend, Danica and my youngest daughter, Eva. Middle daughter, Emily, was back at college in Seattle braving winter snow while we were basking in mid-70s evening outdoor temperatures in our shirtsleeves.

My wonderful wife, who is a faculty member at Hawaii Pacific, not only marched in with the faculty and got a close-up view of the whole thing from the platform, but also enabled us to get a reserved parking place in the faculty parking area. All her years of study and teaching finally paid off!

Before the commencement we enjoyed a wonderful meal together. Afterwards Ella and Danica headed off to a graduation party at a restaurant overlooking Waikiki Beach.

Ella's proud father (me) thought she looked beautiful and radiant tonight (two cliches that actually describe her perfectly). The Hawaiian custom of piling up floral leis on honored people on special occasions made many of the graduates look worrysomely top-heavy in a South Pacific, fragrant sort of way!

Ella wore her cap, her gown, her leis and her smile quite well. Her mother even joined her in a little dance before the ceremony
and her proud Grandma T joined them both in a happy photo op afterwards. Dad managed to wind up in a few pictures as well, but humility precluded him from posting anything with his face on it tonight.

Ah! One child down and two more to go! I haven't had to take out a second mortgage on our house, yet, and, by God's grace, will never have to. On the other hand, Ella is hoping to begin a graduate school program on the mainland next Fall. I'm proud of her for that, too. But I'm keeping my hand on the wallet in my back pocket!