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On the flip side looking in the rear view mirror

At graduations.

At celebrations.

At preparations and reparations and salutations.

At heat. Ungodly, unseasonable heat. That renders one breathless after just a few minutes out in it. It was that hot. On graduation day. And during the multitude of parties following. But we stayed hydrated, stayed focused, celebrated with students and friends alike.

At red chili and tortillas, bagels and cream cheese and salmon, baked brie w/almonds and honey and crackers, kebobs of beef and chicken, veggie trays and chocolate fountain and fruit and marshmallows and pretzels to dip, deviled eggs and guacamole and queso and chips. At mimosas and Tecate and agua and champagne and white wine and red wine and Hansen's sodas and graduation cake. And many umbrellas that provided much needed shade, and misters that brought the patio temperature down into the human range.

There's a lovely calm on the flip side. There's an acceptance of completed rites of passage, an optimism (yes bittersweet) of what the future holds, and an appreciation for the abundance of blessings in our lives.

We made it through the graduation gauntlet with nary a whimper. And now we look back and bask in the enormity and satisfaction of layers upon layers of jobs well done. Across the board.

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