My dear blogging friends and family, it feels like forever since I last wrote but it’s been a busy spring around here. While the world is being shaken like a snow globe with war in Ukraine and economic unrest, due to record high inflation, we are taking a moment to celebrate our son.
Last week this time, we were on our way home from Vancouver Island, where we had travelled to witness our son Harrison’s grad convocation ceremony in Victoria, B.C.. He is now an alumni graduate from the Gustavson School of Business/ University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. If I had known we would reach this day, I would have saved my breath throughout his five years of high school. If I had known he would have found his passion in the business world, I would have just enjoyed watching him grow up. I would have put a pause on the record that went something like this every day on the drive to high school; “Always do you best Harrison. Strive for excellence. Dream big and follow your heart. Be kind and be honest.” When I think back to those days I remember him being very respectful and tolerate of my rants and lectures, probably because he knew that once he was in the driver seat he would really start to fly.
Anyway, you’d think I would have learned but today was my younger three children’s last day of school and I was back at it. Me; “Make sure you take a moment to really thank your teacher, “in the eye,” for everything they have given you this year! Be Grateful.” It continues, ha!..but last week this time, as we drove home from the Island after Harry’s grad, David and I were just smiling.
And so, today I’m taking a moment to celebrate Harry. I’m taking this moment to cheer and clap and say, “Congratulations Harrison! We are so proud of you.” And while we celebrate this moment, I thought it would be a good time to go down memory lane, sharing a few pictures of Harry growing up and finally some pictures of his grad last week.
It all started when Harrison was born, two weeks early on December 19th 1998. In the above picture Harrison engages with me as I sing the “Winnie the Pooh song but I replace the Winnie the Pooh part with, “Harrison Drew, Harrison Drew, what a sweet, sweet little bear!”And of course, one of his favourite stuff toys was a Pooh bear….which wasn’t replaced until his got “Baby bear,” when he was a year old….I think he still has “Baby bear” somewhere in his condo??? I can remember putting this little grey onesie on Harrison….even though he was our third son in a row, it was so much fun dressing him in cute outfits. He wore a lot of sporty type clothing and I’m sure while David was holding Harrison above, he was whispering sports related stories to him……”once you learn to walk, you can bounce a ball, kick a ball, hit a ball and of course swing a golf club.” And I’m sure he was also starting to tell him one of his famous quotes, “if you’re not first, your last!” Although, Harrison must have learned more by observing David and how he treated people because he learned the meaning of a Win/Win and demonstrated it when he won the Grade 12 basketball’s, most sportsmanlike award.
Harrison was always surrounded by big brothers and a sister who loved him so much. When I was choosing a picture for my blog today I had such a hard time finding just one….there were so many of them with his older siblings kissing, hugging, talking and spending time with him. Each has been a wonderful role model for him but he has found his own place in the middle of our family.One of the first times Harrison visited Vancouver Island, where he would eventually go to University, was when he was 8 months old. He spent most of that first trip seeing the BIG trees at Cathedral Grove and walking the beaches in his backpack. For years we returned for our summer vacations and visiting the Island became a family tradition the kids all grew up with.The summer of 2003 Harrison spent a lot of time walking Long Beach with a stick and writing his name in the sand.
There were “Harrison’s” all over Long Beach when we left!
While Harrison is a great sport…he likes to win. The picture above was taken last Christmas with his three younger siblings. I believe they were playing, “Betrayal at House on the Hill.” I can’t even describe the level of noise as they played game after game over the holidays. Let’s just say they played it LOUDLY! When they weren’t playing board games they were on the Nintendo Switch playing, “Super Smash Bros,”….same noise level….and lots of jumping up out of their chairs.
Fast Forward….from that Long Beach picture above… 19 years later…
This picture was taken on June 15th, before the U Vic’s business school’s brunch, held at the Empress Hotel’s Crystal Garden, Harrison was given a red braided cord to represent his Dean’s list achievement! It was a delicious brunch and a great way to kick off his Grad day.
Then a few hours after that….
We take a few pictures with Harrison, our latest U Vic Grad. His older sister Alyssa and Mitchell also are U Vic alumni. (thank you D for taking the picture!)Harrison’s University of Victoria, Grad professional photo!Standing next to one of the University of Victoria’s age old trees is our son Harrison. I wonder how many grads have stood next to this tree over the years?We picked up a Diploma frame for Harrison and as David and Harrison walk together, I’d like to think David is telling him how proud he is and that in basketball terminology he’s telling him, “You scored an incredible 3 pointer Harrison.”
And now he’s off into the world of business. At the beginning of July he will start working with RBC’s head office in their Natural Resources department. The world of high finance awaits his entry but I’m not going to lecture, or even give any advice. I’m just here smiling. His Auntie B and Uncle J did give him a lovely graduation card, however, and I believe the words of Ram Dass are wiser than anything I could ever say.
Thank you Auntie B and Uncle J for the card below…..
The world keeps spinning, wars continue to be fought, oil prices rise relentlessly and food insecurity ravages many parts of our world, but we must take the time to dance and celebrate during moments such as this. I believe that together we make this world a better place and you just never know when one of our children will find a cure for cancer, or discover the next big green energy company that will solve the world’s climate crisis. It’s really an exciting time to be a parent, as our children head out into the world to shine in their own light.
Congratulations Harrison!
Until we connect again, may you be well, happy and peaceful.
