Just Add Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust

Friday, May 23, 2025

College of the Holy Cross Graduation ~ The Baccalaureate Mass

We just got home from her graduation. We feel so proud, so joyful, and also sad that our time at Holy Cross is over. I know it will always be 'ours', these years from 2021-2025 but still we are sad.

I have oh so many photos. There are videos. There are pictures on my phone, the big camera chips, Scott's phone - so many to go through but I'll work through as I can. There are actually still so many events coming this spring and I want to write while it is all still stirred up my my head and heart. So here we go!

We drove up on Thursday to start the events. The first was the Baccalaureate Mass. And it was so lovely.

Out of all the graduation festivities, Baccalaureate Mass was my very favorite. It was a spiritual part of graduation and truly in my heart the most important part. It ties all that is good in a graduation with the purpose and meaning behind all of it.

The music was incredible, the orchestra, the choir, their love pouring out. And above all the homily given by a Holy Cross priest who talked about:

1.) How they learned faith, hope, and love on Mount St. James (where the college is located) and how to bring that into the world

2.) How their lives are filled with a cause, a reason

3.) How Holy Cross will always be there for you

We were beaming proud of our little girl. 💜

Seeing the alter set like this brought tears to my eyes. When we dropped Anna off at college four years ago, we attended Mass of the Holy Spirit. (link here) and it was set just like this. In fact, they talked about that freshman year Mass throughout this one. It was simply beautiful... the music, the homily, the prayers and readings. All of it.

This Mass filled up my eyes with tears but it also filled up this Mama's heart to overflowing with gratitude for this place that held her daughter for four years. I am so grateful for the College of the Holy Cross.

Here is the livestream:

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

The Most Extraordinary Concert I've Ever Attended

There are some things that you want to hold on to forever. But even in that moment you feel that they are slipping away.

I suppose graduation is supposed to feel like that. But I think I had that moment yesterday.

It was Abigail's final Solisti concert and I was sitting in the church with family surrounding me, Scott sitting just behind me.

And we both knew that this was 'our moment' to say/think/feel... she did that. She did it. She can play like that. That's our little Abigail.

The concert moved us to tears, both Scott and I crying and crying at the end of it. It was a moment I will remember for a very long, long time. Scott and I holding each other and crying as if there wasn't anyone else in that church. Our moment.

Because it was her moment. In that concert we watched her shine like I've never seen before. There was nothing quite like that playing she did.

I have photographs of course, and ever a few clips of video. There might even be a recording they did that I can upload here. But there is just no way to put the feelings here. No possible way.

You'll just have to trust me. It was magical.

Here is a clip a parent posted:

I have a few clips too since I had a front row seat to all this goodness!

I love how the conductor Abigail has known since she was 3 years old recognized her birthday and I love how his love of teaching and those seniors behind him showed in his words and emotions.

Monday, May 19, 2025

Abigail Is Eighteen!!

I never want to forget the joy I have for each birthday! One thing I love to do is to make it festive.

Side Note: It's kinda really crazy around her right now: prom, last concerts, Anna's college graduation, Anna's college graduation brunch, Anna's 22nd birthday, and trying to get the end of school wrapped up... it's a lot to be sure!