A protracted sigh

First, we got some prom pictures!

They make me happy.

I like seeing all those smiling dressed up kids.  They had a lot of fun together.

In other news, a week from today, Braeden graduates from high school.

I've tried to downplay the whole affair.  As in, congratulations on making it through the easiest part of your life.

It's no big deal.

Just graduating.

I've also been driven a little bit crazy by Braeden lately.  He's in full on senior-itis mode.   Stick a fork in him, he's done.  He is in a race to see which he cares less about, his school work or actually attending classes.

He was at risk for not graduating several weeks ago because of all of his unexcused absences and tardies.  I recommended to my family that they not take his graduation announcements too seriously.  Write that date down in pencil!  In one class, he had 8 unexcused tardies! (To my credit, I let the child live.)  The day I learned that little nugget of good news, we were meeting my parents at a restaurant for dinner.  Braeden joined us late because he was at work.

When he walked in, my mom stood up to hug him and said, "Well, Braeden.  You're a little tardy."

"Wow, Grandma!" he said, "Shots fired!"

He loves a good joke, even if he's the target.

In order to get back in the good graces of PGHS, Braeden has been serving time at "attendance school" at 6:15 in the morning.  I was glad about that.  Good, I thought, I hope it is miserable and he hates it.  Serves the little turkey right.

But he loves it.  (What is the solution for a kid that is too congenial and pleasant to truly punish?) They have to sit in rows with no food and no headphones/earbuds and no phones.  They can read or do homework.  Braeden reads some and draws maps (no, doesn't do homework) and is a happy little clam.

Sheesh. 

I told Olivia the other day that he was making it easier on me by being such a pain.

I also think it's easier being here rather than at our old school.  I felt a lot more connected at that school.  I knew his friends better, as well as his teachers.  I think I would have felt more sentimental about it all.

Still.

The other day, Braeden texted me that he thought his backpack was in the trunk of his car but it wasn't.  Could I bring it to him?  Because it was the first time that's ever happened (and the school is all of five minutes away), I was happy to help.

When I was heading to the van, with his backpack in tow, it struck me that the boy has days of school left.  It took my breath away.  I tried to go back to the downplaying and denial, but it was too late.

Then, this happened.

These are the kinds of adventures I'll miss (although when am I going to be a grown up and get dressed before I go out into the world?).

He can be infuriating and make me want to hit my head against the wall, but I love that kid.

One of the best things that ever happened to me is going to graduate.

He's going to move on into the wide world and have his own adventures.  He can keep trying as hard as he wants to make me so mad that I'll welcome him leaving.

But I don't think it's going to work.

Pass the Kleenex.