Finally after .....Twenty consectutive years of College

13 May 2009
There had been much to do.... about the main speaker for the Spring Commencement at the Arizona State University this year. Did they want him to come.... did they want to award him with an honorable degree?? Our newly elected President Barack Obama wanted to give the commencement address to all the graduating seniors. There were questions about how many tickets that you could get for your family.... and then the question of who would be able to attend. Every night on the news there were comments about all the preparations being made and many of the restrictions that would apply. Just a few days before the event the weather changed... it was in the 3 digits and expected to be 108 degrees the day of the ceremony in Phoenix in an open air stadium. The day before we learned that people would be expected to sit in the hot sun from 3pm until the program began at 7pm. They also expected that President Obama would not be speaking until 8pm. They would have water and food but you could not bring any of that into the stadium.

I must admit that Popee and Memee had really been looking forward to seeing the entire program. After all, Kelli had worked for twenty years consecutively to receive this degree. We had imagined this day years ago and looked forward to not only being in Arizona but to have well enough health to attend. Finding out that Popee would have to sit in the sun all day was out of the question... we then considered possibly allowing our Carl to go in his place. At the last minute the graduate suggested that we forgo that event and go out to eat to celebrate instead. It was a wonderful idea... We went home after dinner and actually watched the address from the comfort of our air-conditioned homes. We even were able to see the President's plane on the ground at the Phoenix airport and watch him close up.
Because we didn't use the official tickets to go Kelli allowed David to go and to take some of his friends. The seats were on the first row closest to the President. I understand that the kids had a marvelous time and that David was able to get some great photos. This will be one of David's biggest memories... especially since most of President Obama's address could be an address given at his High School Graduation Ceremony.
On Friday, 15 May 2009 at 5 pm all of Kelli's family, plus Popee, Memee and our Carl all went to the Phoenix Convention Center to watch Kelli "walk". The auditorium was totally packed and we sat up in the bleachers so that we could possibly see her. After a long progression of students filing in we were able to see her because of her large gold sash, burgundy and gold Honors Cord plus a large medallion which she more. Out of the thousands of people waving all at once it was rather exciting when we realized she knew it was us. We raised and lowered each arm individually and she did the same. It was so comforting to watch as she received her diploma for BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK.

After the program we went downstairs and outside to wait for her to greet us and to get those photo opts!! Once the photos were over, Popee needed to go home to rest. Memee went to grab the car and there was a huge line all the way to the top floor of the parking garage trying to get out. It took forever to get down and checked out but Popee and Kelli waited... I know that Popee was REALLY glad to see me. We drove a couple of blocks and then Kelli and I went with her family and our Carl out to eat at an adorable Mexican style restaurant in a downtown square.... The soup that Kelli had was to die for!! I brought an order home for Popee and he loved it too.

Kelli has a couple of weeks off and then back to the college grind. She was accepted to do her Masters Degree.... Yipee, she should receive it before Josh graduates from High School!!
CONGRATULATIONS KELLI!!