I reached the first milestone of homeschooling - my first graduation!  Wow.  It seemed that I would never see this day, but Saturday it seemed as though this day came waaaayyy too soon.  I suppose that it was easy to ignore the inevitable because we haven't really exerted much effort in the way of maintaining grade levels in our homeschool.  Over time it just seemed that the use of "grades" was such an antiquated idea when neither of our students fit in the prescribed grade level for every subject.  So, we dropped them.  Naturally, this was met with some opposition by well-meaning, inquisitive individuals - you know, the ones who give your children impromptu quizzes to make sure that they are really being educated - but we have learned to get pass them.

One area that we did not want to overlook, however, was the necessity of "calling out" our daughters/sons when they reached their late adolescent / early teen years.  Every culture has a time when their children are introduced to society (and particularly themselves) as young adults, though it seems that American culture seriously lacks in this area.  The closest thing to it we could come up with was the "sweet sixteen" which really meant driving privileges.  It would take another hour or so of consistent typing to adequately put down our views on this, so I won't do that now.  Nonetheless, eighth grade graduation offered us the opportunity to embrace this practice in a way that "society" would also recognize our youngster as more than a mere child.

It has been only a couple of weeks since we began to formally plan for the graduation.  It began with a telephone conference between the parents of the graduates, each outlining what would be important activities to include in the ceremony.  It was amazing.  Every father felt that this was the time to "Barakah" their graduate and special time was dedicated to that.

I can't possibly put down how beautiful an event this graduation was.  I didn't have anything like this when I completed 8th grade.  For one thing, there was no involvement from my parents at all.  Parents had absolutely nothing to do with my education or that of my peers.  My education belonged under the auspices of the state and they "invited" my parents to attend the graduation, but that's all.  Saturday, each parent was involved in this special day.  Each mother had the opportunity to read their child's biography, telling of their strengths and academic accomplishments.  This gave us all the chance to share, in public, how proud we were of the young people our children were becoming.  I think all kids need that.  They need to hear their parents brag on them a little bit.

At the conclusion of the reading of their bios, each child was asked to share a unique gift of theirs with everyone.  One graduate played a musical instrument, one did a poetic recitation and my daughter did a dramatic sign language interpretation of a worship song.  They were beautiful and I was so very proud of each of them (especially my baby!).  Oh, the 8th grade graduations also did something that I thought was really precious...  Each 8th grader was given the name of a Kindergarten graduate and they were to write a special message to them prior to the graduation ceremony.  During the graduation, with their messages rolled up like scrolls, the 8th graders "passed the baton of elementary education" to the Kindergarteners!  It was so cute and meaningful.  Wouldn't you know that my daughter drew the name of her own little brother!! I can't remember who came up with the idea - but it was a wonderful one!

We then had the keynote speakers address the graduates, one of which was a previous homeschool graduate.  For our support group, she was among the first to complete her education at home and has been a model of purity and holiness for young ladies ever since.  She shared her own feelings of being homeschooled (even those that were negative) and the benefits of having had such an education.  It's one thing for your parents to tell you something and totally different when your peers' message is the same.  Thanks "Tony" for your imput.

After the keynote speakers, was the "Blessing Ceremony".  I can't tell you how many tears were shed during this portion of the graduation!  Each father (or representative - explained further down) was introduced and with his wife at his side, called their 8th grader to the podium.  I can't remember the wording for everyone and will put my husband's in a different post (provided I can obtain his and my daughter's permission to do so), but overall they told "blessed" their child with words of affirmation, identity, and destiny.  It is so important for fathers to do this.  There was a visible difference in each of the young people who were so blessed after this.

The father of one graduate passed away some years ago.  It was even more important to her mother that her daughter's identity & destiny be confirmed during this graduation ceremony and she asked a male figure who held a special place in her daughter's heart to stand in his place.  What was most moving was the reading of a message that her father penned to her before his death.  He confirmed her identity, told her how special she was to him and her mother and the joy that he felt at her birth.  He shared nuggets of wisdom with her for her to maintain her virtue and how she should conduct herself until she is married.  I am sure that she had read that note many times since her fathers death, but to hear these words spoken to her by her surrogate father (if I may)....  We all cried to hear them.

After speaking the blessings over the children, each father introduced them to all as young men/women.  My husband specifically said, "Ladies and gentleman, may I introduce to you B..... King, my daughter in whom I am well pleased!", amidst tears.  I don't know who cried more - him, me, our daughter or the audience?!?!

When each of the graduates had been so blessed, a special prayer was prayed over them all, and their parents as well, that God would continue to direct their education into and throughout their adulthood.  Closing remarks were given by our Youth Pastor and the graduation was adjourned.  The graduates all wanted to fellowship together over pizza, so we descended on a nearby pizzeria and just enjoyed the rest of the evening together.  It was such a special day!

I wasn't sure that I wanted to be involved in a public ceremony like that.  My original mindset was to keep it private and personal, involving only the family.  I am glad that we did not do that now because I believe that she and the other graduates needed to experience the ceremony publicly.  Unfortunately, noone had a video camera - noone!  I would have loved to view that day over and over and over again.  We do have pictures, but even though they are worth a thousand words they could not possibly portray accurately the emotions experienced that day.