Jolie Graduates from Bunkie High School

Graduation

Jolie is our fourth grandchild; Will and Stacey’s baby. She is beautiful, funny, smart, and has the undeniable ability to drive everyone around her crazy.

Stacey says she’s just like me, so I guess that means some good and some bad and some I-don’t-know-what-to-do-with-you. She turned 18 in February, graduated Friday, and is ready to tackle the entire world.

All. Of. It. Right. Now. Grandmay. Yes. Right. Now. But she isn’t spoiled. At. All.

I retired the spring before she was to start high school. She begged me to stay another year and be her teacher. I did not since I was concerned about my mental health. I decided I could not teach another year. Besides, she didn’t understand that I’m not the same person in the front of a classroom. I couldn’t be her gran and push her the way I’d push the others, which is unfair to everyone. No, it was better to retire. So I hurt her feelings to save us both. It turned out to be a smart decision, but I felt really bad.

Hard Times and Perseverance

Then right after Thanksgiving, they lost their house in the fire. They moved in with us and we moved into the camper. At 14, before that stress, she couldn’t get it. The fire changed so many things. Maybe we are alike. Maybe there’s a little bit of Mary in Jolie. DNA, sure, but Mary mannerisms, looks, sass, and attitude may also be there in her bones. Maybe.

As you can see, graduation was at a different venue, which means we were about a half-mile from the graduates. Professional photographers will post pictures for download later on the BHS Facebook page. Still, I wanted a few candid shots of her silliness (despite the solemnity of the occasion).

Graduation Supper

I’m writing this in bits and pieces and adding photos as I get them. So by the time I post, I’ll have the full story, from graduation through her celebration. After graduation, held at the Paragon Mari Center so everyone could safely social distance, we ambled over to the buffet for supper. It was easier than moving people in five vehicles to a restraurant, Besides the food is delicious, service is good, and there’s no waiting for food to arrive. Just go pick up a plate.

Things have changed, of course, there are fewer tables and servers fill your plate. Everything takes just a little bit longer, but the lines were reasonable and the staff as accommodating as possible considering the social protocols. Since the public schools all held their graduations at the Mari Center, but on separate nights, these people have worked extra late four nights in a row to accommodate the later-than-usual guests. While they did clean around us, we didn’t feel as though they were pushing us out.

Graduation party

Saturday was the graduation party for family and friends. Will and Dusti planned the party but she had lots of input, so it’s a graduation party with an under-the-sea theme. I was tasked with making a few decorations. Dusti picked up some little things for the tables, and I added a few seahorses, starfish, and whales. (Check out the detail on that whale.)

We enjoyed the party, right in Will’s backyard. The kids played games, the adults visited, and we all ate too much! We are such typical Louisianans: family, food and fun are about all we need to call it a party.

Thanks for visiting!