Graduation

Payson high school football field.

Today was a very special day because it was a day my daughter, Lexie, was graduating in high school. The graduation ceremony started at 7 PM sharp but Lexie left the house at 4 PM. We only live about a couple of miles away from the high school, which takes about 7 minute-drive. At 6 PM, I was in the back porch watching birds and hummingbirds roaming around in the garden like little helicopters.

At 6:30 PM, we got in the car and headed down to the high school football field where the graduation was about to unfold. It was a good thing we came early as the parking lots were getting filled quickly. The graduates were already starting to assemble behind the gate. I looked around searching for Lexie amidst the crowd but couldn't locate her. I wanted to get a shot of her before we proceeded to the seats. Just as I was getting comfortable in my seat, I decided to go back where the graduates were gathering in an attempt to find Lexie again so I could take her graduation photo. With the sun blinding my vision, I had no luck finding her. Just when I was about to give up, I suddenly heard someone yell out, "mommy!" amongst all the crowd's noise. It was Lexie. I quickly took a couple of shots and went back to my seat.

When it was time to sing the graduation song, I saw Lexie and a couple of her friends stand up and join the rest of the choir at a far corner. Then, I heard a familiar voice. Lexie was singing! It really caught me by surprise. Her voice filled the football field. It sounded good! I turned to my husband and he had a proud look on his face or so it seemed.

Next was the presentation of scholarship awards. I wasn't expecting much from our local community because my eldest daughter didn't do quite well 2 years ago. The most I anticipated were two awards only. Surprisingly, I heard her name called, not once, not twice, but five times, worth a $1,000 or more each. Another big surprise! Thank God!

As the ceremony was about to end, we decided to advance down to the sideline of the football field and leaned against the fence because my husband was exhausted from sitting. I asked him what he thought of his daughter singing. "What singing?" he responded. "You were not aware it was your daughter singing a while ago?" I asked. "No!", he answered. "Why didn't you remind me", he added. "I thought you knew just from the sound of her voice" I said. Hehehe, yes folks, he missed it.

Upon arriving home, he asked Lexie to sing the song again to refresh his memory. It all came back to him. Thank goodness. hehehe.

Note: The football field was quite a ways out. I had the camera with the telephoto lens on so I had a good look of her from afar. Also, my husband had trouble hearing in one ear.



Lexie happily marching

Lexie singing the graduation song, "You Raise Me UP."

"You Raise Me Up"

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

There is no life, no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But then you come, and I am filled with wonder;
Sometimes I think, I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up... To more than I can be.


Lexie receiving scholarship awards

A close up pic.