Life Milestones Matter!

Jul 2, 2021

I know as a kid growing up that I had an actual graduation from kindergarten! I truly idolized my teacher who played the accordion and sang. She would have been taken back by my pursuit of being a rock star and playing the guitar. We all have memories, both pleasant and not so pleasant of finishing a milestone. I know that I really didn’t care much about college graduation but when I finished Grad School I did expect both of my parents and family to be There! (Yes, everyone was there for my graduation and also my Anne’s with her MA.) 

I know as a parent watching your toddler take their first steps is everything, unless you’re my mom whose sole goal in my babyhood was that I be potty trained before the age of 1. I have watched my adult kids who are parents struggle with the same issue at the ages of three to five. Yes, graduating from kindergarten, elementary school, junior highs school and high school are amazing accomplishments. Yet, as a society our dysfunctional ways have made it challenging for many to feel loved, appreciated and part of their own flesh and blood when they have accomplished  these incredible goals.  

I will always remember the week of my younger brother’s graduation from UC Santa Barbara with his PhD in Spanish. Our mom was struggling with cancer and was really not capable to the drive from San Diego to Santa Barbara. I’m so thankful that her Oncologist allowed her to stop her chemo so she could be there for her Scotty! This is one of my life milestones that I will remember for ever. 

The challenge is when someone does what seems to be the impossible and many in their families don’t notice, care or choose to be there. I have an amazing teen who has faced very difficult circumstances and did what seemed impossible, finish high school and graduate. The reality for manner is that a night that should be celebrating can turn into a drama scene in a movie. 

My life journey tells me that as I look at pictures of our Barrio kids that were little when they did graduate from Kindergarten, high school or even college, need our attention, love, hugs and special gifts. Yes actions speak louder than words. So please shower your kid, teen, young adult or senior that finishes something important and accomplishes their goals with genuine gifts and go beyond the high five or WOW. 

Please consider how you make milestones for your family and yourself. As you live life looking back it will help you savor the value of understanding your purpose in life!