Pure Joy

  Experiencing pure joy is amazing.  Sure, we tend to experience happiness on a daily basis, but pure joy?  That is rare and wonderful.  I got to experience pure joy yesterday through my oldest son.  He attends an all boys Catholic School which is rich with tradition and emphasizes a brotherhood that only a Catholic High graduate can understand.  One of those traditions is the giving of the class ring.  Catholic High opened in 1930 and upon the first graduating class, a design for a class ring was established and is still the same ring design today.  Yesterday was ring mass where the class rings are blessed and presented to each senior. The entire school was in attendance, but what makes it even more special is that it is a mom's only event. I thought I was doing well with holding back the tears, but when Larry Wilson, class of 1953 got up and spoke these words, "This is my school.  This is your school.  This is OUR school" with such passion and conviction, the tears fell.  It was at this moment I realized my son is joining the thousands of wonderful men who have graduated before him.  Men such as my hubby, my brother, my brother in-law, and  my sis in-law's dad, just to name a few.  The Seniors also sang a beautiful song, "Here I am Lord".  Now, if you have not experienced an all boys choir, it is fantastic.  Knowing your son is one of those singers, makes it all the better.  After the mass was concluded, Mr. Straessle, principal, spoke a few words and then dismissed the boys, with the freshmen going first.  I had not experienced this before, but the whole school, squeals "wee, wee" as the freshmen were leaving.  It was hilarious.  Another tradition, apparently.  When the whole school was dismissed and it was just the Seniors and moms, Mr. Straessle addressed the boys and welcomed them to the official brotherhood of Catholic High.  He then dismissed the boys to the cafeteria to go get their moms a cookie and a drink because that is what men do, they take care of their moms.  As we moms were filing out of the gym, our sons were outside waiting for us with our cookie and drinks.  It was awesome!  It was so funny hearing all the boys say "mom", "mom" "where are you", because well, there were a lot of moms there.  We then proceeded to take a ridiculous amount of pictures.  All the boys were laughing, cutting up and admiring their rings.  My son had a smile on his face the entire time.  Now, my son has a very even keeled personality.  Rarely gets mad or super excited.  But, yesterday, pure joy.  It was wonderful to watch.  I am so grateful for this experience and I thank Catholic High for their traditions and molding our boys into men.  After the boys were dismissed back to class, I drove over to Cantina Laredo and had brunch with about 67 other Catholic High Senior moms.  It was fun to talk about the last 4 years at Catholic, their futures, and just having a great time.  I am truly blessed and uber proud of my amazing son.  I love you my son!
Enjoy a few pictures:

 Catholic High Class of 2015

 The ring

 Proud mom

 Proud Seniors

 Showing off the ring

 Which way do we look?

So proud

Hugs!!!