Updating Everything

Wow, it's been hectic. I graded like a machine, including risking carsickness by grading on my lap as we drove South. I used my younger son's computer in Fulton, Missouri, to turn in grades, and then, with Younger Son and Wife in the back seat, we headed to Fayetteville, Arkansas. My older son's wife had put together quite a cute party for everyone, with a "Congratulations" cake, champagne, a huge fruit bouquet (one of those "bouquets" where the fruit is on skewers and shaped like flowers), and decorations. I'll post a picture once I ever get my husband to download them. (I had so much else to worry about that I didn't bring my camera to the festivities.) The next morning, there was a brunch at a local Bed and Breakfast. It was beautiful, with exceptional food and service. The grounds were lovely, all sorts of flowers and running brooks, and stone walls holding up ivy. We ate on a covered porch with a great view of the landscaping.

Then my son opened cards and gifts, seeming to be quite happy with everything, including the cufflinks with law symbols that we'd gotten him. But the hit was the "Lawyer Drive" street sign I'd given him as sort of a gag gift.

The trip to Tulsa was crazy. A huge storm had moved in, pelting us with heavy rain and hail. My poor Bonnie Blue has a few white spots on her now that will have to be repaired. But we got off easy compared to the people who had tornadoes drop down. More on that later.

The ceremony was nice, just the law school graduates. The governor of Oklahoma spoke, as well as a few others. As the valedictorian was speaking, there was a sudden boom and the power went out. Darkness, the sounds of busy people rushing about, and we got some lighting back from a back-up system. Some people were worried that it was a terrorism attack since the governor was there (I guess the memories of Timothy McVeigh and the attack on the federal building in Oklahoma City stay near the surface), but it was the weather.

We ate out at a barbecue place my son chose, then headed back to Fayetteville for more cake, more champagne, more talking and laughing.

Sunday morning we stopped by again for breakfast before heading back to Fulton to return younger son and wife to their home. The news was full of the tornado damage, some of which we saw as we drove north. Around Neosho, MO, there was a swath of terrible damage across the highway and on both sides--tree stumps only 3 feet tall, debris everywhere, huge billboards twisted like a wadded slip of paper. But the weather stayed fine, my son's two cats were delighted to see him and his wife, and we started north again. We got home yesterday about 5:15 to our own cat, who has barely stopped bitching at us ever since. He had expressed his displeasure with a couple of barf-ups on the rugs.

I'm exhausted and sorry to have this streamlined account. I definitely will attempt to delve a bit deeper into the emotions of the event as soon as I can recover. My son is a lawyer. Wow. Well, I guess he will be, as soon as he passes the bar exam in late July. Then there will be another ceremony to attend in Jefferson City, MO, where the people who passed the bar will be sworn in as officers of the court. To my son, this is the most important ceremony, so we'll no doubt be driving down again for that one. Meanwhile, I'd just rather not get back inside a car until I have to. My poor swollen ankles! But it was worth it. We've worked hard for this event, all of us. S.