Message to My Graduating Senior
Posted: Friday, May 25, 2007
by Deirdre Reilly
Exhausted Rapunzel
I can hardly believe it, but my middle son Matt is graduating from high school. How did this happen — where did the time go?
I believe that every family has a Matt — that person who asks so little, and gives so much. Happy by nature, always one of the funniest people on the planet — Matt has always championed his brothers and has been very secure in himself; he has never needed the limelight, but instead pushes quietly forward. He has been there for me many times, and for his father, too. He doesn’t take a thing for granted. He calls when he’s going to be late, he is quick to offer a smile and an encouraging word, he brings the pets in out of the rain. He notices those who aren’t noticed by anyone else. He’s like oxygen — you need him to get by. He and I have jokes between us that nobody else would even understand. So, I’m wondering what I will do when he leaves for college in the fall.I remember seeing Matt, who was sitting in the front seat next to me, (this was before air bags, when kids could sit up front) fly forwards towards the windshield, his blonde hair illuminated in the other car’s headlights, his small arms limp as he was jettisoned forward. Just in time, the safety belt caught him, as his nose was literally at the windshield, and snapped him back. In that second, which seemed freeze-framed, all I could think of was one word: Matt. Just Matt. I knew that his brother had the front seat keeping him in the car, and I had the sense that he was okay. But what about Matt, sailing away from me when we were just supposed to going around the block? I couldn’t lose him. And I didn’t. He and his brother were fine, and I would be fine, after a week in the hospital, recuperating from broken ribs and a collapsed lung. And you know what? I was happy in that hospital. Battered and sore, you couldn’t have found a happier patient, because I had learned the lesson that comes at a price. Life is what is important; just life. And that image of Matt arcing in slow motion towards the windshield has stayed with me, and has worked for good in my life to remind me of what is really important. And every once in a while one of the boys will say, “Remember our accident, Mom?" and the look they have, as they recall the sounds and sights from the ensuing chaos of that night, let me know that they learned that lesson, too.
Matt — a lot of people will be wishing you well in the next few weeks. I just want to thank you, for everything you are, for the joy you have been, and will continue to be. We are always right here if you need us. Don’t ever lose that light that you have, that draws people closer, even your parents, who have loved you since you were just an idea of a second child for us. And I thank God, surely traveling with the three of us that night long ago (and for being with my husband, who had to hear that his whole family had been in a car accident long distance, in a hotel room) for sparing us all, and for bringing Matt away from the windshield, and back to me. And that’s why somehow I will be able to let him go — because I once got him back.
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)A beautiful and well-told/written story. I've missed your articles. Tell Matt congratulations and wishing him continued success. Thanks for introducing Matt to us. I know him well. :)Avis, Thanks so much. Matt is a gem - I have never written about our accident until this year, so I'm glad it meant something to you. Thanks for reading! Have a great week-end!
Such a moving story. Thanks for sharing part of your life with us.Thank you so much, I'm glad you liked it. :-) I'm so proud of Matt. He'll be outside mulching our yard this week-end! Thanks for reading. Sincerely, Deirdre
Thanks Deidre-what a moving story! Thanks for reminding us what really is important! Congratulations to Matt!Hi Laura, I'm so glad you liked it - I appreciate your message, and Matt is reading everyone's comments! Best, Deirdre
I had tears in my eyes reading your story. It is so hard to let go but you are right. Congratulations, Mom. Hope you have lots of tissue for the ceremony...Thanks, Mary. He is a special guy. He is going to go to college close to home, which is good - I offered to home-school him, but he seems to think you don't do this at the college level! Thanks for reading - have a great week-end!
Thanks, Deirdre, for sharing your very moving story. I can't imagine what was going through your mind when the accident happened but I'm happy the story ended happily. Yes, it's amazing how 'simple' the important things of life are, huh? I wish you the very best and enjoy your writing.Hi Judi, I'm glad you got something out of it - initially, right after we were hit, I was in shock, I guess, because I tried to drive us home! (Our car, of course, was a complete loss.) But I strongly feel that we were watched over the whole time, and I could even feel it in the middle of the chaos. It has been a guiding force for me, that feeling. Thank you for connecting with me - have a great long week-end!
Very beautiful article Deirdre. Brought tears to my eyes, since I will have a daughter graduating next week. So amazing how times flies and it seems like yesterday when they were just sitting in your arms :) Many blessings to Matt! Thanks for sharing. Be blessed IrisDear Iris, I wish you and your daughter luck, laughs and love on this special day coming up for you - I have an older son, too, so I can tell you it just gets even better and more thrilling from here :-) Thanks so much for your kind wishes for Matt; I will let him know you wrote! Sincerely, Deirdre
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