Vince, the College Graduate

How can Vince be graduating? He was going to preschool with his pink and purple backpack just yesterday and passing out on the floor when he bumped his knee...I have been amazed at how much he has matured and changed since he has been away from home these last 4 years. Is it the guidance he got at Indiana Wesleyan, required self-reliance because he has been far away, the spiritual lessons he learned from his pastor/mentor Steve DeNeff, or is it just that I see him as an adult instead of just my child now? I'm not sure, but I know that he is someone whom I feel blessed to know. I value his opinion and respect his character. Today is definitely a milestone in his life.

Even though we were told that Grace would have to have a ticket to get into graduation, the door monitor told us that if she sat on our laps, she didn't need a ticket. This allowed both Grandma and Grandpa Swaar to see another one of their grandsons walk across the stage at graduation in addition to attending baccalaureate.

I really liked baccalaureate better than graduation because Steve DeNeff spoke about his two hopes for the graduates: That they don't ever get a job and never follow their dreams for success...Obviously the message was wonderful or I wouldn't still remember it. Steve even told Vince after the graduation ceremony that he was one of the graduates who was doing what God had called him to do by teaching children ages 0-3 and making a difference in our world. He will have a great reward awaiting him in Heaven. I know that he will be great in the Early Head Start program because he has such a generous heart.

Picture time is always a little awkward when you have divorced parents who have poor communication, but everyone from both families was cordial and cooperative at the event. I know that meant a lot to Vince, too since the boys tend to worry about keeping people happy all the time. Grandma kept Grace busy counting bushes and looking for flowers while everyone was congratulating Vince and taking pictures. It was nice not to have to load up all of Vince's things before we left because he is staying for another month to finish his Theology minor and he is left with the chore of bringing 4 years accumulation home in his car... Jacob is hosting him at his home a few blocks from campus which saved Vince hundreds of dollars in room and board, too. When he gets home, he will move into an apartment with Adam, so he is officially emancipated. The house is going to seem very quiet this summer, even with Grace talking constantly and Blaise stopping by for meals. I will miss the trash talking during Super Mario Brothers' video game challenges, serious dinner conversations about politics and religion, and even the locker room smell...NO! I won't miss that at all.

Check out the beautiful dorm room couch!