Just Perfect

Sometimes you have a day that's just perfect -- or pretty darned close to it! And you think, "Could anyone be more grateful than we are?"

On Saturday we celebrated Greg's graduation from Kendall College of Art and Design. It was such a great day -- well, not the weather, but everything else! The ceremony was followed by a small family gathering back at Greg's house. Rick and I cooked like crazy people the day before -- and it all fell together like clockwork!

Greg had a lot of the same challenges kids have getting through school -- a transfer half way through, all the challenges of combining work and relationships and school in ways that don't always bring the best results, and cause setbacks.

He also had -- as longtime Gypsy readers know -- another big challenge, with several thyroid cancer surgeries and the post surgical treatment.

And yet, there he was in his black gown, and boy! Was it ever terrific!

We were especially proud...He told us that morning he was graduating with honors!

Immediately after the ceremony we walked over to the art school to see his work in the senior exhibit -- here are a couple of the things he's done.

The pictures above and below are watercolors from photos he took on an overseas study in Ghana.

This mouse is one of his favorites. He took a photo of this dead mouse as it was floating in his bathroom toilet while at U of M. And I don't even want to know the back story on that one. I must say, I really do like it -- and I'd probably like it better without knowing the part about the toilet!

This is a portrait of his grandfather. I didn't know him during the period where he had the dark hair -- it was done from an older photograph. But there was no mistaking who it was!

Sometimes I just kept thinking, "I know this kid. I've known him for a long, long time!"

Honestly, I had little to do with the growth and maturation of this young man. He was born with the talent, and I had no part in that. Greg has been a big part of my life, though, since he was nine. In that time, I've seen him develop lots of passions and interests. He likes bicycles and classical music, like his dad does; he is our resident organic foods and recycling advocate; he's a kind human being who cares deeply about others, and the stars in his eyes are brighter than any in the sky.

But one passion that has never wavered was the art.

If I had anything to do with his upbringing, it was just listening to him, loving him, and hopefully letting him grow and be. Counseling him when it felt appropriate, letting him learn his own lessons when he had to, serving as an intermediary when two generations didn't always gibe.

After the exhibit, party time at Greg's house! Rick made sushi the night before, and I did salads, dessert, salsa.

Rick got the best bread at Panera! We thought we'd have more leftovers than we did! (Darn!)

Saturday's festivities were an ending -- and a beginning. He'll have ups and downs. We'll want to butt in (and sometimes against probably what is anyone's best judgment, will).

The other good part -- we'll get to do this again next year for that fellow in blue, above. That's Kevin, Greg's younger brother with Molly.

After the party, Rick and I went with his brother and his wife to see the Chihuly exhibit in Meijer Gardens. Yes, I took my camera -- and yes, I'll post pictures in a day or two!