High School Graduate!

It happened.  My second son, Samuel R Martinez, graduated high school.  I knew it would happen.  It was inevitable.  However, I don't think I'm ready to have my two oldest children jump off towards adulthood.

I'm very proud of Sam.  He had some Aspergian social challenges going to high school, but he made it through, and has a future full of possibilities!

 Anyone who knows Sam, knows that he doesn't like his picture taken.  I prepped him months in advance that I would want to take "Senior" pictures.  He was prepared.  However, when the day came, he wanted it over as soon as possible.  My hour-long photo shoot dreams soon became just a desire to get one or two good pictures -- pictures that will commemorate the occasion, and will remind me someday of how my 18-year-old son looked.

Sam and Carly drove to Seminary together every morning, and they've gotten closer than ever this year.  I think because Gabe is at college, that had something to do with it.  Sam is now the older brother, and he is taking care of Carly.  I like seeing that they have a good relationship.  It makes me feel like I've done something right.

Sam didn't want to attend the actual Graduation ceremony, and I can understand why.  It would have been hours for him amongst a large crowd of his peers -- torture for him.  So, we celebrated at home on the night of his graduation.  We made steak, lobster tails, potato skins, and decorated the dining room with congratulatory balloons.  I hope he doesn't look back on this some day regretting that he didn't walk with his class.  I hope that we made the right decision in letting him graduate without all the pomp and circumstance.  I love him so much!