"Graduation" Day

As I type, I am awaiting word from my daughter that her husband is officially an American citizen.  They left for downtown Chicago a few hours ago for a ceremony that was to begin at 2:00, IN time...at a federal building that doesn't allow cameras.  (What a crock!) 

What really bums me out is that I have been planning for this day for months.  I intended to be there to witness his taking the oath.  I intended to have a party for him, although I wasn't sure where or how that would take place since he was/is ambivalent about that.  (I even bought a bunch of red, white, and blue plates, napkins, and decorations back prior to the Fourth of July, just because I knew they wouldn't be available later.)  Unfortunately, they didn't have word of the actual date until Sunday when they got home from here...which only gave four days' notice.  It seemed too much for me to drive up there just now, and unlikely that a party would take place.  I cry about it because I feel like I have let Denis down, but I hope not.

This has been Denis's dream for a long time--his goal.  I'm not sure for how long, but I tease him about wanting to be an American because he longed to have all of the things that spoiled American children have.  If you ask him, he will say that he wanted to come to America for the burgers.  Still, the US is lucky to have him.  The young man has four US patents to his name:  two for Microsoft and two for Google/Motorola Mobility.  Not too shabby!

Then there is the family factor.  He makes my daughter happy and takes care of both her and my grandchildren.  (A pretty tall order!)  And me, to some extent.  Plus his own parents in Russia.  I don't know how to "love" him.  To be honest, I didn't have much of a chance to get to know Denis before he became my son-in-law.  Megan kept him to herself, away from her children and me, then went away with him to California at a critical time.  I can reach him with meat and sweets, but those are consumables, and sometimes he is dieting.  I keep trying to find ways to let him know how much I appreciate him.  He's hard to read, in that regard...

I've been planning and practicing my Facebook announcement for months--the one that I intend to post the instant I hear that Denis is an official American.  He did it all on his own, with my daughter's help, every step of the way.  And my FB announcement may or may not mean anything to him.  Still, it reminds me of how my parents must have felt when I graduated from college.

My parents paid for my college education.  I worked part-time to help with expenses, but I was pretty slack about it.  Mom and Dad paid for tuition and books, and gave me a monthly allowance.  Back in those days, it was pretty rare for students to take out loans because the age of majority was 21.  (Nowadays, it is rare for students to graduate without big-time loans hanging over their heads.)  After the graduation ceremonies--with not a single picture taken of the event-- my father stuck out his hand to shake mine and said, "Congratulations.  I have done everything I can do for you now.  The future is up to you."  I was a little shocked.  It seemed like something of a good-bye.  And it was.  It was a good-bye to my childhood and his/their hope that I would take over from there...and I did.   And I knew, in retrospect, that my father had planned for that moment for weeks, if not months.  That's just the way he was.

So...still awaiting word on Denis's situation...I will congratulate him publicly and let him know how very proud I am of him...and hope it is enough.  I love you, Denis, and thank God for you every day.  God bless you this day and always--and God bless America!