Graduation Ceremony

When I posted about graduation I told you that I would be back to tell you more. After getting the official pictures from the school this week I am ready to do that!

Rob and I were told that we would be going on stage to pick up Jess's diploma. We had debated if we really even wanted to do so. Would it be too much for us? Would it take anything away from the other kids' graduation experience? 

We definitely wanted to be there for all of Jess's friends but what we learned is all the kids wanted to be there for us too. 

After each student received their diploma the students would walk over to the other side of the stage and greet their parents with a lei. (For my mainland friends: In Hawaiian graduation ceremonies, it's customary for graduates to give leis to their parents (and other significant people) as a way to express gratitude and recognition for their support and love.) The family would then pose for pictures.

After everyone had received their diplomas, we were called up to get Jess's. An explosion of cheers greeted us as we worked our way to the stage. After receiving her diploma, we noticed that a couple of Jess's friends were gathering Jess's honor cords, haku lei and other items from the chair that was set in her honor. 

I remember thinking, "That's nice, we'll get a picture taken with all her graduation things." What I wasn’t expecting, and was completely blown away by, was that EVERY classmate, one-by-one would come to us with a lei. Every single one. Hugging us. Honoring her. Honoring us. The audience erupted.

It was one of the most beautiful and moving experieces of my life.

Jessica was included. We were included. 

After everyone filed out from the ceremony, the festive piling on of leis for the graduates began. Every graduate gets so many that they can barely see. Rob suggested periscopes as a future upgrade. 

Once everyone was covered, and when it came time for the final class photo, they asked us to stand in her place.

There’s no easy way to describe how it feels to show up to something this big without your child. It’s impossible, really. But what this graduating class gave us, through their grace, their gestures, and their open-hearted love, was a reminder that Jess is still here. Not just in spirit, but in community. In memory. In all the ways she touched the people around her.

#ForeverMoved #JessInspired