Well, in a couple weeks, my family will celebrate another exciting milestone. My oldest grandson, Brennan, is graduating from Michigan Technological University (MTU) in Houghton! Not only is he graduating, he received an amazing job offer in Rochester, MN and will be moving there to start his new life. Time just flies too fast, doesn’t it? It seems like it was only yesterday that he graduated from high school.
Brennan is following in the footsteps of his Uncle Matt, who also graduated from MTU when Brennan was just a little boy. My daughter Melissa and I, along with Brennan and his two younger brothers, made the long trek to the U.P. to attend the commencement and celebrate his achievement.
I’m sure going to miss our trips to Houghton – it is a beautiful college town. We have our favorite restaurants we loved to visit, not to mention the sheer natural beauty of the area. The drive up the coastline of Lake Superior is stunning.
High school graduation for the Class of 2020, the year Brennan graduated, was a little different due to the Pandemic. The schools had been shut down. No prom, no parties, no senior trip, no hugs or final farewells. With a 4.2 GPA, Brennan had achieved the honor of being the salutatorian for his class, but there was no ceremony, no speech. A drive-by ceremony was held later that summer. It was heartbreaking.
My grandson Mack, the U.S. Marine, now lives in Texas. His graduation from boot camp in Parris Island, SC three years ago is still one of my fondest and more emotional memories. He had just turned 18 and was so nervous when he left – with just his driver’s license and a $20 bill in his pocket. Seeing the proud and confident young man he had become on his graduation day brought tears to my eyes. Mack did not attend his high school graduation, as he left for boot camp on Mother’s Day.
Last June, my grandson, Noah graduated from Bay City Central High School. This was the first of the three boys’ high school commencements we were able to attend! But Noah will have another graduation later this year. He recently enlisted with the U.S. Army and will leave in August for boot camp in Oklahoma.
Graduation ceremonies are filled with “pomp and circumstance” – a phrase used to signify a splendid celebration with ceremony. I have truly enjoyed all of the graduation celebrations in my life.
So … Congratulations, Brennan! We are so proud of you! You did it!
