Graduation, Prom and Lynns Paradise Cafe...

My daughter graduated from High school and attended prom in the same night a week ago today. I will post some pictures of these events and you can see why my biased is well founded in both my children, they are honestly the better than a mother could hope or dream for... I was divorced from my children's father when they were 4 & 6. I got remarried to another man when they were 6 and 8. I never thought that marriage would end...

When I was diagnosed with RA and decided to start chemo my second husband left. I was devastated, I did not know how in the world I was going to maintain my home, be a mother, home school my son and work full time while undergoing treatment. In these times you have no choice but to survive, but not one day did I feel strong in my efforts, in every day I had to find a strength not my own. My self esteem which I never gave thought to previously plummeted.

On Allie's graduation/prom day. I wanted to have a celebration of family and friends for her at the home but in all honestly I did not think I could get my home ready for 20-30 guests, get all the food prepared and enjoy the day. At my mothers suggestion I decided to have lunch at Lynn's Paradise Cafe instead. Anyone who knows Louisville knows it is just good food and zany times to eat at Lynn's Paradise.

I just had one issue...for me it is DIFFICULT to deal with both exes...I had not talked to Alan in months, I wanted this to be about Allie and what she needed but I can't help but to tell you it was agonizing for me. I processed this scenario with my friends and I dealt with most my feelings before the day arrived...Once closing school ceremonies ended graduation followed. I have to tell you the girls wear white dresses and carry a bouquet of roses, it is so reminiscent of a wedding procession it is enough to make any mother cry...I held back my tears...but there we all were blended family sitting in the first two pews supporting our girl, she was more than ecstatic having us all there and I was so glad I got over myself just watching her beam... :)

Lunch at Lynn's was lovely she received more than enough funds to buy her expensive camera for her photojournalism class, a laptop, dorm linens, a trunk, a refrigerator...and the list goes on, the girl cashed in...But something happened to all of us that day... there was peace there, and somehow we were all gracious, it became about what we had all contributed to her life as a team, it was a wonderful day... A day that healing began...who knew :)

Enjoy the pictures to follow :)



1 Corinthians 15:10 But by God's grace I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not ineffective. However, I worked more than any of them, yet not I, but God's grace that was with me.