Brenna, my last baby, graduated high school with honors last week. I didn’t cry at her graduation nor did she. I think we were both just ready to heave a big sigh of relief that it was finally over.

 

I’ve had kids in school for over 20 years, so it’s going to feel strange next fall not to be sending one off in September. At the same time, it’s going to be a bit of a relief not having to worry about everything that goes along with it, like keeping up with fees and lunch money, remembering to sign permission slips, helping with homework and trying to keep track of all the after-school activities.

 

I am going to miss all the activity around the house though. Our kids bring their friends over all the time, so there always seems to be at least one person around who isn’t part of our immediate family. Brenna isn’t moving out yet so hopefully that part will continue for a while.

 

Brenna herself came into the world screaming and she’s made her presence known ever since. She’s truly one of the most unique people I’ve ever met and I love that about her. 

 

She’s never followed the crowd, preferring instead to march to her own beat. Growing up she was a tomboy yet could still be a girly-girl. She prefers jeans to dresses and rarely wears makeup. She cuts her hair short. She’s always done her own thing no matter what the rest of the crowd was up to. Some people have found that hard to handle. I’ve always applauded it.

 

If you give Brenna an inch she’ll take a mile. A perfect example of this is when she asked if she could get a lizard. Getting permission, she brought home a bearded dragon. Somehow that one lizard has turned into five, and they’ve been joined by a fish, a frog and a snake, although the latter doesn’t reside at our house.

 

Brenna is one of the most creative people I know. Even before she started grade school she was always coming up with unique things to do, including making whatever it was she needed. She had a temper though. If things didn’t work out the way she envisioned them she was likely to get angry and stomp off to do something else.

 

Even though she can be a bit of a drama queen, she’s also extremely empathetic. She’s never been afraid to stand up for what’s right, whether it be a friend being bullied or an animal in need. She hates it when people fight.

 

Brenna was hard on herself during school, not happy with her grades unless she was getting all A’s. Unfortunately, I’m probably partially to blame for that. She watched me act the same way while I was getting my master’s degree. I was not happy with myself when I received an A- in my third to last class and lost my 4.0 GPA, and I let everyone know it. 

 

Inside and out Brenna is a beautiful, awesome person who I’m proud to call my daughter. If you haven’t met her yet and would like to, you’ll have the perfect opportunity during the next few months. She’s the one behind the sasquatch mask that trails along after the Citizen-Tribune entry in our local parades. Give her a high-five when she growls on by.

 

Brenna is heading to college this fall. Although she’s not 100% sure yet, she’s leaning towards a career in environmental science. I’m 100% sure that no matter which direction she goes she’ll be leaving her mark on the world.

 

To my daughter, stay true to who you are, because you are a great person to be.