Last Day of School.

It's a bitter-sweet day.

His very last day of high school.

We've known for years this day would come

and we are so very proud of him.

This is a day of celebration and reflection.

We frequently get asked, 

"What's next?" or 

"What are his plans after school?"

It has been such a difficult road just to get here

and we don't know where it leads or what is next.

He has been working at an internship

at a local greenhouse for the last four months.

Every single day has been a struggle.

Including today.

He called me around nine.

"Mom, I'm having a real rough day today.

I'm hearing voices and seeing things.

Big time.

What do I do?"

Then I talked to his trusty aide

(if it's this hard to get through 2 hours and 15 minutes

at an internship with an aide,

how would he get through a day, half day,

or even 2 hours and 15 minutes

at college or a trade school?),

"He's having a real tough time today,

what do you want me to do?"

Give it another 10 to 15 minutes

and call me back if you need to

and I'll be there to pick him up.

So, I picked him up

after just being there for a little over an hour.

He graduates on Wednesday.

He finally agreed to walk at his own graduation.

For years he has told us he wouldn't go

but recently changed his mind

with much encouragement and coaxing by his teacher.

His teacher will be right next to him the whole time.

He's terrified of crowds.

He will be the very last student on that stage.

He deserves to have everyone clap and cheer him on.

We will figure out what's next, later.