My daughter and the rest of the Junior class received their high school rings this week.   The school held a small, but precious, Ring Ceremony in their honor.   They opened the ceremony with a special prayer.  Then they mentioned the ring etiquette and how the ring was to be worn facing you until graduation.  This inspires you to keep trying hard and giving it all you’ve got until you have the honor of walking across that stage to accept your High School Diploma!  Once that happens, you, then, turn the ring where it is facing the world as it now signifies that you have achieved your goal and have graduated!

As their names were called one by one, each Junior took their place in the center of the stage where they were accompanied by their parent(s).   At this point in the ceremony, the parent took the ring out of the box and placed it on their child’s finger.  I have to admit that this was an extremely moving moment as I stood there facing my daughter with her ring in my hand getting ready to place it on her finger.  I am happy to report that I did not cry this time, if you can believe it!   I had so much happiness and joy in my heart at that moment, and I was so proud to be presenting this ring to my daughter.   It was a joyous occasion!

She, too, had a companion ring for me.  I have worn it from the moment she gave it to me as it is a direct link to her and this special occasion.  She celebrated ME in all of this!   Although she’s growing into an adult and becoming so independent, she still thought of me and did something so incredibly sweet by making sure I had a ring of my own.

Okay, now the tears are coming as I sit here and write these words!   You see, I had a friend tell me that this means that we are losing them.  I chose not to believe that.  I will never “lose” my daughter, just as my daughter will never “lose” me.   Our bond is cemented with each other, and no matter where she goes in life, we will always be linked and connected with our hearts.   I refuse to accept that I have to “let go,” which is something else this well meaning friend has said on several occasions.   No, I will never do that.  She has freedom to grow, to become the person that she chooses to become, to explore where life will take her, to live her dream, to fulfill her wishes and desires.   I have always stood by her side, and now is no different.  With a bond as strong as the one we share, it simply cannot be broken.  I have complete faith.   That is why I am not buying into the whole “letting go” thing for this is a happy occasion in my house and in our lives.  We celebrate her.  We will not mourn.   She has worked so hard to get to where she is today.  My heart overflows with such love and pride for her and her accomplishments.   It always will.

Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming along for the ride as I share my heart and love for God on this site and for my precious “babies.”

I now present to you, my high school ring wearing Junior.