You may, or may not, remember that circumstances prevented me from attending BoBo’s graduation from the military academy (equivalent to high school graduation). I was crushed for I feared the message to him was that it did not matter enough for me to make the time. That was so far from the truth.

When he was younger, I tracked each of BoBo’s developmental milestones. Documenting everything from his first words to his first tooth, I attempted to watch his every move so as not to miss a thing. I cherished these moments so much.

So, as you might imagine, I was devastated to not be there for one of the many events that I had waited so patiently to see. I wasn’t about to miss another….at least if I could help it.

The arrival of life’s milestones is both exciting as well as bitter-sweet. BoBo’s Basic Military Training (BMT) graduation most certainly falls into this category.

On one hand, I am sad that his father is not here to share in such a critical day in BoBo’s transformation from boy to man. On the other, I am glad that he is not here for, most certainly, he would be complaining about the war and pointing out the dangers our son will now be facing. These are known truths that I don’t need to be reminded of.

What matters most to me is that my son has found direction and is marching forth with the same determination and enthusiasm he had on the day this photo of him chasing down his dad was taken. This is something every parent can be proud of. I certainly am.

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