Graduation season was not among my favorite thoughts in recent times. Like in many other households, however, it was going to be a reality here, too.
"Oh, your daughter is graduating?" I heard a few times. "It must be from college," some said. No, not from college, I quietly responded.

A few times I found myself explaining about her special needs and "leaving" public school at age 22. While some of my older daughter's peers from childhood have already gone on to college and beyond, she was going to stay the course in her usual pace. But the milestone was coming and it was sure going to designate a turning point.

I found myself bordering thoughts of sadness. The upcoming event was a loud reminder of what hadn't been and I almost fell into the trap of dwelling on that.

Still, preparations continued. With the help of her teachers, Katherine wrote a few lines she was going to share during the ceremony and she was excited about having remembered to say to her friends how much she would miss them.

"There is a word in Portuguese, 'saudade,' which can't exactly be translated into English, but means missing someone," she wrote. "I know I will have 'saudade' for all of you." She also had, as a special project, the task of collaborating with me at home to translate into Portuguese the Special Peace Corps creed, which is very much a part of their lives at school. The translation would be a way to share her heritage and to call attention to her strength in being bilingual.

Little by little, I saw her transformation and sense of purpose. She was happy and why shouldn't I be?
As I write this, I have just been to a beautiful graduation ceremony at the Peace Abbey and what a wonderful reminder of what all of us can teach each other.

Lewis and Meg Randa, the directors of the Life Experience School, once again succeed at keeping the rather informal ceremony as one of love and acceptance. Lewis reminded everyone that while we can't choose to be the richest or the fastest of all people, we each can certainly make the choice to be the best servants to others.

"I graduated in the Class of 1965 from Lincoln High School in Des Moines, Iowa," he said. "But these kids are way ahead of where I was in '65. I didn't realize then that the most important thing was to do something for others."
He also said that when Mother Theresa visited the Peace Abbey, she reminded everyone one that "each and every day we must do something for others." And these kids, he said, have already shown their ability to do that.

Like in other graduations, the students had cap and gown, a diploma and a special speech with the usual words of encouragement for what is to come. But unlike other graduations, teachers, parents, family, friends and peers were encouraged to thank the graduates for who they are. And they did.

The two graduating students were praised for the sensitivity, their sense of humor, their friendliness, their skills in special tasks, their willingness to be there for each other and their ability to see the world in ways that many other people miss.

Teachers recognized publicly that they, indeed, have learned from their students. Parents, as well, stepped up to say how much they appreciated their grads as people. And friends were eager to say that they too, were so thankful for their friendship and truthfulness.

The other students, some with very definite difficulties to speak or walk, missed no chance to show their gratitude for their friends' ability to enrich their lives. They offered their support and openly expressed their hope that they would stay in touch.

As I sat there and wiped a few tears, I saw my daughter first a little tense, then more and more relaxed as she read, first in English and then in fluent Portuguese, the Special Peace Corps creed. "When I am hungry, send me someone to feed, when I am thirsty, send me someone who needs a drink, when I am cold, send me someone to warm, when I am sad, send me someone to cheer, when I need understanding, send me someone who needs mine, when I need to be looked after, send me someone to care for, and when I think only of myself, draw my thoughts to another."

After three years of some familiarity with these words, it was even more meaningful that she was asked to translate it into Portuguese and read it from the podium. As I turned my thoughts of inadequacy to appreciation and gratitude, I have been curious about what life might have been for many students all over the world, had they been encouraged to think of others first.

I also wished quietly that parents who attend other graduations could have the opportunity to see this one.

As for me, I am definitely thankful for this graduation. And truly ready to tell the world to praise these milestones, whatever they might be.