An intersection- June 12, 2010

Today felt like a bit of an "intersection" for me. The day was a crossroads between the academic world that I work in and the bicycling trip to begin later this week. I was up early and out on the roads by 6:30 AM for some training miles on the bicycle. By 7:00 AM, however, the thunder and lightning sotrm had arrived, and I got back home before getting too wet (or electrocuted), having gotten only 7.5 miles completed. Then, my attention was directed to graduation day at Faith Heritage. They are always special, but particularly this year as Hilary was one of the honored graduates. So many mixed emotions for me as our youngest gave her speech and walked across the stage to receive her diploma. I am very proud, but also going to miss her this summer and next school year. We stopped briefly at one grad party, and then I stopped home for a "break." I decided to take advantage of the "nicer" weather, and got 25.2 more miles in on the bicycle...all the while my brain was thinking back to the morning's festivities and the 18 years of having Hilary under our roof...what a blessing she has been! Also, I couldn't help but think ahead to the opportunity I have with my son Zach this summer, to bicycle across the USA. While today's 32.7 miles is far less than we shall do on a dialy basis on the tour, I am sure that we won't have graduations and grad parties to attend, either. After a shower, it was back to another graduation party. While the seniors are done with school, I still have final exams to administer and grade, along with packing and good-byes. And, of course, one more family graduation party!