Caps are flying, tears are being shed and children are growing up as another graduation "season" is in full swing. The month of June is a time when a lot of parents reflect back on their children's lives, and I'm sure memories come flooding back as to when their now teenagers were precious, little infants.
Sitting in The Sentinel office with Indian Valley High School directly across from me, I was able to witness the full ceremony just peering out of the front office door. The IVHS Class of 2009 was fortunate enough to have their graduation held outdoors, despite ominous skies. I have to admit, I only watched it for a brief minute, but it brought back many memories from my "old" high school days.
I graduated in 2003 from Lewistown High School, and I was lucky enough to have my graduation held outdoors as well. I remember the day being hot and humid, and cloudy skies would have been most desired.
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Tara Maguire
Those days were full of fun and never-ending excitement. My friend Kim had her license before I did, and drove us around in her green Ford Taurus. A teenager's first vehicle is, on one hand, like their best friend - they share many new adventures together, which forever remain and create lasting memories.
Kim and I did have many memories in that vehicle until, sadly, Kim and I had our final and most unpredictable memory in that car when we wrecked it. Yes, did I mention teenagers do stupid and irresponsible things? Well, they do - but it technically wasn't our fault.
Fast forward to the future. Kim and I both graduated from college, we both have jobs and I now have a daughter of my own. I've said it before and I'll say it again - time flies way too fast. For the past four weeks, my daughter, Emma has been patiently and, at times, angrily making a solid attempt at learning how to crawl.
Let it be known she does not like lying on her stomach. There is something about the Superman pose that doesn't sit well with her. Jeremy, my fiance, is adamant that she will skip crawling and just start walking. Perhaps this is true. Maybe she will learn how to walk within the next few weeks.
In all honesty, I would much rather have my little girl crawl around and see what adventures she can get into. In my mind, walking is for big kids - and she's not that big yet.
There have been many, many parents that insist that I enjoy her now while she is still young, because before I know it, she will be all grown up, at her own graduation, in her cap and gown and accepting her diploma.
Sentinel reporter Tara Maguire can be reached at tmaguire@lewistownsentinel.com.
