Another incredible milestone

Last night was a late night out for my blushing bride and I. We whooped it up and this morning the kiddos are already well ahead of us. Today is Sydney's last day of kindergarten. It will be capped off by a graduation ceremony this evening at 5:00 PM. While part of me thinks it is absolutely ridiculous for kindergartners to have a graduation ceremony with cap and gown, I have to admit that the milestone strikes me especially hard. I am amazed at how far she has come. I have always known the odds of her achieving this milestone where especially slim and I am truly grateful for the gift. Not only am I thankful for the journey of getting to this point in her life but I also so appreciative of all that she has accomplished. I feel confident to say that Sydney has been able to accomplish everything that is expected of an ordinary kindergartner. In fact, in many areas she has not only met the challenge but has greatly surpassed the standard. It is for these reasons that I am so tremendously proud. For a child that has spent 4 of the last 5 years in treatment, endured 9 high dose rounds of chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, almost 1 full month of radiation, a year of oral chemotherapy, over 2 and a half years of painful immunotherapy and travel back and forth to a different city for treatment; the fact that she has met the challenge of completing kindergarten pales in comparison. However, it is the fact that she did it and that she did it on time that amazes me. Today the celebration for many will be about a single year - for me it will be for a lifetime.

So, while I still think it is somewhat ridiculous to have a cap and gown ceremony for the graduation of kindergarten I am still especially mindful of the incredible journey Sydney has made. No one will be prouder.

Now that is purpose!