With her feathery bosom just bursting with pride, Mother Goose is happy to announce that her son, Benjamin, graduated from high school yesterday afternoon!
We have waited such a long time for this grand event. Ben became a man years and years ago when he was just five or six years old. As we watched him mow the lawn and help his father spread blacktop sealer over our driveway, we knew he was already a man — a little man, but a man indeed. Of course he learned to ride his bike and swim that same summer.
There were balloons…
There were roses…
The school colors are blue and orange. Mother Goose couldn’t find any blue roses…
There was a GIANT chocolate cake…
The handsome and very intelligent stepson of Mother Goose also graduated yesterday.
There was the waiting for the commencement to commence…
Ben’s dad and a couple of sisters…
And then the young men and women of Oak Park-River Forest High School appeared across the football field. The men in their black suits, white shirts and red ties — the women in their long white dresses and holding a dozen red roses in their arms.
From the beginning of time at our high school which was 1905, the graduates have dressed formally — foregoing the cap and gown tradition so common in other schools in favor of black and white dignity and style. Who ever heard of such a thing in 2013? But it was vintage elegance and notably unique to see them all in their Sunday finest.
It’s like playing Where’s Waldo to find your kid afterwards on the football field…
After finding our Ben amongst the masses of humanity on the football field and taking advantage of the wonderful photo ops, we headed back to the house for a really nice BBQ with family and friends.
Cheers to the Class of 2013 — may all of your dreams come true and all of your skies be blue!
Mother Goose Smiles 
Jun 10, 2013 @ 10:53:57
I was wondering where the gowns were! And why the ladies were in white long gowns. That is really unique!
Jun 13, 2013 @ 05:40:05
Of course, this is Oak Park — elegance and image are everything! We have standards to uphold, and forever raising the bar for the rest of the Chicagoland area.
Jun 10, 2013 @ 14:04:37
Congrats Ben and Eric. Milestone event. And a door to the next milestone.
Jun 13, 2013 @ 05:39:03
Thanks Jeff! And soon off they’ll fly away to college — Benny to Southern Illinois University and Eric to University of Illinois — Chicago.
My…how the time goes…
Jun 10, 2013 @ 14:14:06
I think it’s wonderful that the graduates dress formally! Congrats to Ben and Eric on their graduations!
Jun 13, 2013 @ 05:37:11
Thank you so much Dianna! There was so much handsome and beauty on the football field — I know they are all going to go out there and make the world a better place. 😀
Jun 10, 2013 @ 19:21:13
Congrats to Ben and your entire family! What a beautiful celebration, elegance is timeless.
Jun 13, 2013 @ 05:35:58
Gina, thank you very much! I’m just shaking my head at how fast the time flies by — seems just yesterday Ben was a tiny little tator tot in my arms…
Jun 17, 2013 @ 13:31:05
I’m so sorry I seemed to have missed this very special announcement, but it’s good to see the smiles and family pride as Ben crosses such an important threshold Wonderful occasion, Mother Goose!
Jun 18, 2013 @ 10:11:02
Debra, we will never forget that milestone. Ben has had to go through some big life changes as a result of being my son (homeschooling, moving to new schools, adjusting to new towns and family situations). He just takes it all in stride and continues to move forward — always a good son, never gets into any trouble. I am such a proud goose!