Graduation

Natali will always remember the drama of graduating in 2020.  When Covid cancled all graduation plans the school scheduled a Graduation for the begining of July.  Lots of Natali's friends were going to be gone by then and I worried that even then we wouldn't be able to have the traditional graduation they were planning.  I emailed and suggested a "drive through" graduation.  They decided to do both- a drive thru on the original date of graduation and the traditional one later.  We decorated our Van with balloons and a 2020 sign (sadly we didn't get a picture). The kids held small posters out the window saying things like, "Natali 2020" and "BYU here we come".  Then we drove through a line of up of simple things like a picture stand, moving the tassel, and then a long walk accross the football bleachers while they called her name.  

After all her effort to plan everything out she still managed to forget her Valedictorian medal on the big day.  It was sort of anticlimactic but a lot shorter and managable for the littles then a traditional graduation.  We managed to be in line right by her friend and future roommate, Anna.  

Grandma Nani sent this awesome sign, the money lei and a bunch of decorations to help make the day special inspite of her not being able to be there.

Harry Potter themed hat - shocker.  We held a little party with Wildfords and Grandparents.  We decorated grandma's house in Vikes colors, had graduation themed treats, a pasta bar (per Natali's request) the kids swam, we watched a slide show of pics the ward had put together of Natali, and played Encore.  We had a lot of fun - not the big party she had imagined back in February but all things considered she handled all the changes to her life like a pro.

They held a seminary graduation but only one parent could go and since I was in Florida I just let it go but she did finish seminary - yeah!

Then time approched for the traditional graduation.  Natali considered not participating but was asked to give the speech for the Valedictorians.  The was such and honor.  She got excited and spent a lot of time on her speech. Then just days before they cancled it due to a staff member contracting Covid.  Tears were shed this time.  She had been indifferent about it till they asked her to speak.  A few parents worked hard and threw together an outdoor graduaction in a neighborhood common area.  Natali wasn't too excited about it but it did let her give her wonderful, humorous, inspiring speech, wear her medal, ropes, and the candy lei some poor mother slaved over, and a cupcake.  Sadly, not many kids came and only one of Natali's friends but I think it was good for her to give her speech.   It was such a tough way to end this phase of her life but I am so proud of the girl she has become.  She is kind, resilient, observant, inclusive, determined, smart, funny, energetic, driven, practical, hard working, sensitive, loyal, an amazing big sister, baker, friend, and daughter.  What a gift to be her mother.  I sometimes can't believe how lucky I am to have her in my life.  She inspires me to be better.  When this year gave her lemons over and over she just got up and figured out a new way to get where she wanted to go.  I know that no matter what the rest of 2020 and beyond throws her she is going  to handle it with confidence and faith.  Love her so much.