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On Graduation Day

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My favourite laptop screensaver is a photograph of you on graduation day ... your beaming smile hides an aching heart of such tragic loss as your two school friends died in your second year of study, neither living to see your smile on graduation day ... they would have been so proud of all you had achieved and my heart fills with pride that you didn’t give up studying, in fact, you were the top student and recognised internationally on graduation day ... I was proudest mother of them all! 9/12/19 Writing Challenge 2, September 2019 - The Photograph Sponsor, Dear Heart - Wiishkobi Ode

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Eve Roper

Date: 4/8/2021 3:01:00 PM

Great write, Jan, your son accomplished a lot and still is. Congratulations on your win. Hugs Eve

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 4/8/2021 12:08:00 PM

Congratulations on your win. To the proudest mother and wonderful writer. A winner never gives up, that is why they are a winner. Have a blessed day............

Sam Kauffman

Date: 4/8/2021 10:33:00 AM

This is a story of real life, Jan - success over heartbreak! Elegantly written. Congratulations. hugs :)

Constance La France

Date: 10/3/2019 5:22:00 PM

Jan congratulations on your win in my challenge with this touching poem and what a great photo!

Jeanne Mcgee

Date: 10/3/2019 2:28:00 PM

A loving tale well written. Congrats on your top win.

Juliet Ligon

Date: 10/2/2019 11:05:00 PM

Impressive that your son persevered through the heartache. Your poem is very touching. Poetic hugs, Juliet.

Jan Allison
Date: 10/3/2019 6:35:00 AM

Thanks juliet, if it hadnt been for the parents coming to my fathers funeral to support me, I think he would probably have given up his studies. Hugs Jan xx

Anna Hopper

Date: 9/15/2019 9:11:00 AM

Beautiful

Jan Allison
Date: 9/17/2019 12:09:00 PM

Thanks Anna:-) hugs Jan x

Rico Leffanta

Date: 9/13/2019 4:23:00 PM

It sometimes takes a bulk of years to understand death is the natural end to living and what a motivator that can be to the living, your son as well as you in composing this poem! Aloha! Rico

Jan Allison
Date: 9/14/2019 3:32:00 AM

thanks Rico, he is home at the moment but I won't show him this poem ... maybe one day but for now I don't want to pull him down he is in a very good place in life :-) hugs Jan xx

Tom Cunningham

Date: 9/13/2019 12:42:00 PM

A tragic story Jan, your son must have been devastated, it must have been hard for him to continue but thankfully he did, it must have been such a proud moment for you when he graduated. Good luck. Tom

Jan Allison
Date: 9/14/2019 3:26:00 AM

it affected him so badly he wanted to give up studying - we learned a lot more about that from his lectures when we went to the award ceremony but if it hadn't been for the parents of the boys he probably would have dropped out of uni hugs Jan xx

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 9/13/2019 7:49:00 AM

This yanks at my heart strings. I hope the only true parts are the graduation, beaming smile and you being proud.

Jan Allison
Date: 9/14/2019 3:25:00 AM

I wish it had been a fiction poem but no sadly his 2 schoolfriends (brothers) died in a drugs related tragedy. I have written poems about the and their death, it rocked our world:-(https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/ecstasy_804708https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/jactor_project_-_your_chance_to_get_involved_645746. Hugs Jan xx

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 9/13/2019 7:47:00 AM

I'm so glad he continued. A sad but happy tribute. Many blessings and prayers for you.

Jan Allison
Date: 9/14/2019 3:21:00 AM

thanks Regina:-) hugs Jan xx

Vladislav Raven

Date: 9/12/2019 8:21:00 PM

Hi Jan, you have so much to be proud of in your son, his achievements are exemplary. My emotions are somewhat torn in the reading of this emotional write. There is sadness on reading of the death of his two school friends, then there is joy at the graduation. Your pride comes through in the words of this piece Jan. It reads like a wonner to me. Have a wonderful Friday. Hugs....Mike.

Jan Allison
Date: 9/14/2019 3:20:00 AM

I was in 2 minds about writing the poem but I went with my heart:-) hugs Jan xx

Ilene Bauer

Date: 9/12/2019 3:43:00 PM

a very touching poem, jan, and your pride in your son's accomplishments is well-deserved!

Jan Allison
Date: 9/14/2019 3:19:00 AM

thanks Ilene:-) hugs Jan xx

Bobby May

Date: 9/12/2019 3:18:00 PM

JAN, our children are never lost they just adventure out soon they will return asking for help! My sweet friend never forget you brought them into the world they will never forget you! You are their queen never forget that!!

Jan Allison
Date: 9/14/2019 3:19:00 AM

My son is home at the moment I am so so proud of everything he achieves, he is an amazing young man:-) hugs Jan xx

Alexis Y.

Date: 9/12/2019 2:16:00 PM

Hi Jan, Although it was sad to hear about the young boys that died( and your father). You had so much to be proud of, your son kept going and graduated in the midst of sorrow. Kudos to the boys parents for talking your son. This is a winner in my book. I wish you the best of luck in the contest. Have a fantastic day my friend:-) Alexis

Jan Allison
Date: 9/14/2019 3:18:00 AM

thanks Alexis:-) hugs Jan xx

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 9/12/2019 1:46:00 PM

- Of course you were proud, Jan ... your son had a lot in his mind that year - Luck in the contest :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Jan Allison
Date: 9/14/2019 3:17:00 AM

He had had such a tough time, I am so so proud of him he was the first one in our family to go to university:-) hugs Jan x

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 9/12/2019 1:45:00 PM

We are such proud parents when our children graduate - the pride that only a mom or dad can feel - I loved this poem as it brought back memories of Ricky's graduation. Beautifully penned Jan. Hugs, Jennifer.

Jan Allison
Date: 9/14/2019 3:17:00 AM

thanks Jennifer:-) hugs Jan xx

Chris Green

Date: 9/12/2019 1:18:00 PM

I remember when my daughter's graduated and I can see it again in your wonderful photographic poem Jan. Best wishes in the contest

Jan Allison
Date: 9/12/2019 1:25:00 PM

My father also died 4 months after the boys passed away. My son came over for the funeral and said he was thinking of giving up studying as he was so devastated over the losses. The boy's parents had never met my dad but arrived as we were walking in behind the coffin, just to support me at the funeral - I asked them to have a word with my son about not giving up - they had a chat with him and it turned him around and he graduated with 3 prizes and was internationally recognised. His graduation was the proudest day of my life for so many reasons!:-) hugs jan xx