Life’s great moments don’t stop
for a pandemic. St. John reminds us that the darkness has never overcome the
light.
Family milestones are a light, commemorating
past achievements and illuminating the path ahead. Or at least the beginning of
the path.
Our family is celebrating three
graduations this spring. Three of our grandchildren have reached an important
milestone, and while their official ceremonies have been cancelled (along with
the parties and other adventures), we still celebrate.
On May 2, our oldest grandchild,
Breanna Joy (daughter of David and Debby), became Dr. Breanna Becker. Bree
completed her graduate program in physical therapy at George Fox University. We’ve
already benefited from her skills (free to grandparents!), applied to Hal’s
back and my dizziness. We’re happy that she loves her new profession and has a
sense of call to this service.
Our two high school graduates are
Alandra Uwizera Thomas (youngest daughter of David and Debby) and Thomas Reilly
Gault (oldest child of Jon and Kristin). Alandra and Reilly not only will miss
their ceremonies, they both missed their senior proms. About missing the prom,
Reilly felt great relief. But Alandra was disappointed. So David and Debby put
on their own prom. The family, including sister Gwen, cleaned the house,
dressed up in formal attire, had a special gourmet dinner, and then danced in
the field next door, to the cheers of their neighbors. Alandra’s smiles tells
it all.
Bree looks forward to getting a
real job in a clinic. Alandra is going to major in engineering at George Fox
University, while Reilly is enrolled in the University of Oregon’s School of
Music, specializing in percussion and jazz.
This coming Saturday evening, the
extended family will celebrate together via Zoom. From five different
households, we will meet over five different dinner tables to eat and talk.
Each of our graduates will share their hopes and dreams. Maybe we can persuade
Reilly to give his valedictorian speech. (Kristin says he had been preparing it
before the pandemic struck.)
We will bless each one in prayer.
And we will celebrate these three
marvelous young people.
The light is shining.
Our apartment door at Friendsview
