Dear Tracy,
We went to Helena for your college graduation Friday. Everyone was so nice to us and grateful that we came. I could tell they wanted to do something special for you and we were the next best thing. Your diplomas were the first presented, three of them, and actual diplomas, not the empty cases everyone else gets. Airframe, Powerplant and Aviation Maintenance. The school had to appeal your case to the state to make that happen. Then, in the hokey system the U of M still requires because of Covid, each family comes in, watches their student graduate and then heads out the back and goes to their classroom or, for the aircraft students, the hangar. We got to stay for all your classmates and took pictures, even of Shane. The college said they would send us your student interview, but they haven't yet. We are hungry for every scrap of audio or video connected to you. Joe was chosen to give the online graduation speech and he mentioned you. He described graduation without you as bittersweet. It is a flavor I will have to get used to from now on.
There was a table set up for you in the hangar with the sleeveless Hawaiian shirt you gave Joe when he forgot his, the two pictures I had sent of you with your Harley, and the one Joe took for your scholarship application. You thought it was ridiculous to have to send a picture, but I am so glad to have it. It is in the center of my photo cube now. For you, I was willing to displace the granddaughters' picture collage. I brought some chocolate revel bars for everyone. I know how much you liked those. Your Dad gave bolt gauges to your classmates. He had bought one for you and was going to give it to you when you graduated, so he just ordered more for your class, Jamar, and even Todd, who said he didn't have one that nice. The parents and staff wanted us in the class picture, which I'm sure will make people wonder in years to come, about the old couple in the graduating class. I noticed a guy by your table wearing his tassel on a cowboy hat. Todd told me it was Curtis, which meant nothing to me until he said aka, "Honky". Then the person and the hat made sense. I know God's plan is perfect, but I let myself imagine how graduation would have been if you were alive. You would have grumbled about the cap, gown and all the fuss, but you still would have cooperated and smiled for the pictures.
Mother's Day was just two days later. Britten hosted a waffle brunch. Amanda couldn't make it because Kenzie was sick. Diane T. claimed to be sick also, but may have just been uncomfortable coming. Britten and Em presented me with the Snap On cookie jar you asked me if I wanted, but I didn't know you had already received and had in your RV. One last Mother's Day gift from you. Thanks, I will keep it forever. Later, I read all the sweet cards and notes you sent me, the ones I have kept in my top drawer through the years. I try to focus on what I still have, but I miss you so much, I would drag you back from heaven if I could. We are glad we went to your graduation. We expected there waiting for you when you graduated to heaven, but we know you will be at ours.
Love,
Mom
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