Milestones, Ending Well, New Beginnings

It has happened. One of life's occurrences you don't even think about ahead of time. The last of the Grand-Lads has graduated High School.  Actually, the last of the Grands in total, for that matter.

High School graduations are nothing special, I know.  But just sometimes the facts fly in the face of that general statement.

This one was special because the Lad Himself is just that. Ordinary ease with schooling has not been his lot.  Diagnosed in his young life with an autistic label, similar yet different from his older brother, our lad has had challenges all along the way.

However, by the Grace of God, wise and patient parents all his years, plus mentors and therapists, -all of these amazing -  he has graduated. 

Now the best part:  he graduated with honors! He recieved the president's award for achievement, plus awards in history and math.  That last one is a puzzlement.  Math is not a strength in this family, rather it is generally seen dangling by a very thin thread.

If all these weren't blessings enough, he is a good kid.  He is Southern proper-polite, owing to a Southern mom of gracious bearing and he is funny, perhaps in large part from a clever and witty dad.

So it was our great pleasure to travel to take part in this history making milestone.

Added to this, was our lad's choice to be baptized, stating to the world that he desires to follow his Savior all the days of his life.  He honored his grandpa by asking him to do the honors.  The event took place in a family friend's backyard swimming pool.  Special friends, church family and blood family witnessed.  It was simple but so meaningful.  Both of the grandfathers took part, one in the water speaking the ancient words of Christian history, plus others of personal import.  The other grandpa, at the edge of the pool, praying a prayer of blessing onl our Lad for all his days ahead.

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And so, this post is just about family, events ordinary, yet extraordinary.  All touched by Mercy and great Grace.

 Additional photos of this adventure:

The Mom who loves unconditionally , who teaches tirelessly and well:

The Dad who supports in every way, who is loving and steadfast:

The elder brother who has gone before and left his good crumbs on the trail to follow:

Where will the trail end?  That is written in Eternity Past and not for our knowing in the Present.  But we are thrilled with the choices, with the beginning our Lad has made and are humbled and so very proud of him and his family. We know that our faithful God will lead in the future as He has the past.  He has promised us that and we know it is true.

In the meantime, our hearts are full.  We are grateful beyond telling.
Praise Him!