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| Number One indeed |
It wasn't official
It had no standing
It was done in 24 minutes
It was the best graduation you could image, and then some. Brigham orchestrated, administered and created the event. He had help from several friends to pull it off and the charm of Evan for it to succeed.
Evan graduated from Armstrong High School in 2007 and felt that he like his brothers before should head out west to Brigham Young University. We thought it was risky but a manageable risk; and determined it would be a measured success if he lasted - a day - a week - a month. Little did we imagine at the time that five years later (with a year break for 3-month full-time mission and moving to Chicago); that we would need a graduation exercise to culminate the experience. A capstone of acknowledgment and gratitude.
There were many people who's combined efforts created the success. If I named them all- first the list would be too long, second I would surely forget someone who unbeknownst to us - sat with him at lunch, walked with him, talked with him, danced with him.- well you get the picture I would not want to offend through omission.
A few require special note:
- John & TJ his uncle and aunt who live in Roy and were the ever present safety net if needed, the shelter in a storm, and always good for a warm bed and a great meal
- Parker, his loving younger brother, who pushed and prodded and supported Evan during his own freshman year at BYU
- Blair, Julie and Mackey who from afar encouraged and loved
- Stu Jackson, an incredible friend forever, a patient long-suffering and enduring friend, and a great room-mate for two-years
- Brigham, oh Brigham, the depth of our appreciation is ineffable.What a brother, what a friend. (I guess I'll devote a separate post to him to try and capture it)
Evan worked, he volunteered, he attended classes, he dated, he danced, he worked in and attended the Temple regularly, he played sports, he had Ward callings, he went to Y athletic contests, collected BYU spirit wear, he skied, went to cousin dinners, had road trips to San Diego, San Francisco, the Grand Canyon, and beyond. Figured out how to do laundry, survival eating skills, negotiated a bus, how to get to and from campus, kept his own schedule and checked in appropriately, paid bills with a debit card, calculated a tip (usually on a phone call with me while he was at the restaurant), did his homework, watched his favorite dvds, sang his favorite songs (you could always find him by listening to his chanteur voice with headphones on- singing along with gusto). Gusto, yes that is the word I've been looking for, he lived his BYU life with gusto. He flourished.
Thanks to the many known and unknown who helped. The attending angels seen and unseen both get thanks. The party Thursday was as much for them as it was for Evan.
So back to the party, or should we say graduation ceremony. Evan felt the need to march across a stage and gather a diploma - Brigham delivered said program and event.
Approximately 100 people gathered in the lovely conference room in the Student Athletic building. A dozen or so came in cap and gown and accompanied Evan in the entrance march to Pomp & Circumstances . The program flowed as noted in the program in the earlier blog posting. It was great.
Thank you to all who, spoke, performed, marched, attended. It stayed on schedule as a 23 minute program followed by Triffle and chit chat. Was the highlight the attendance of Cosmo? being able to thank everyone? the musical number? the speech? No once again it was seeing the delight and joy on Evan's face. or was it the JOY in my and Rindy's heart as we once again recognized the abundant tender mercies of the Lord in fulfilling dreams we dared not dream 24 + years ago when Evan was born. But it is joy that defies description. The text book definition of the emotion: of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation. JOY constitutes something that is tangible as well as intangible - the heart is full and frequently the eyes as well. "When the Lord is present in our lives, His joy brings us great joy and with grateful hearts, our thanks is expressed." Evan's life brings us closer to the Lord. And so we say thanks.
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| Us |
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| Evan getting diploma going thru the line |
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| Stu & Ally - representing all the friends |
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| Cosmo in queue |
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| Quinn's representing all those in Mn & IL who support |
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| Ev |
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| the room slowly filling |
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| Lu - Eleanor - Liz representing all the girls in Ev's life |
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| Matt Smith representing all at BYU who helped along the way |
