The great game of catch-up continues! Go with me way back to the Wednesday before we left for Denmark. We attended the first graduation ceremony for one of our own kids. I fell apart as we were sitting there waiting for things to get started watching the slide show of graduates. I just started thinking about my mom and how much I wanted her to be there. A few deep breaths and a few tissues and I was ok. Garyn, as you know, was salutatorian and so got to speak. He was a stud…He quoted J. R. R. Tolkien and Rick Rolled the audience. He decorated his cap with one of his favorite pictures he drew in Art class. I am so proud of that man cub. We took pictures and finished the night with a fancy Dairy Queen ice cream cake. After Denmark, we had Seminary Graduation and with that Garyn was done with all things High School.

Once all the formalities were enjoyed, Neil flew off to San Francisco for a work week and Garyn dove into packing his room. I had to get on his case and there was some cajoling, wheedling and even threatening to make sure he got it done. But in the end he managed. We loaded up our girls, dog, boy and stuffed our van to the gills with his stuff.

Driving across the country in three days is kind of our collective aquired super power. Provo was delightful, courtesy of my aunt and uncle’s beatuiful house (complete with movie room) that they graciously let us borrow for the weekend. Also lunch at one of our old favorites, The Pita Pit, helped up the delightful quotient a bit. We got the boy moved in and even had dinner with Neil’s two brothers. Good bye to the boy and we were on our way home. Albeit with much more room in the van.

It was a super quick weekend and goodbye, but probably better that way. He’s been on his own for almost two weeks and as far as I can tell…he’s good. Really, really good.