Graduations

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 138: Today, I am grateful for graduations. 

Graduation Day is a special event in a person's life. When my Grandparents and Great-Grandparents were young, making it to 8th grade was a big deal. The real work of keeping food on the table sometimes did not afford the luxury of a classroom education that extended to 8th grade and high school. 

That was the reality for several of my Grandparents and Great-Grandparents. On the Bess side, hardship when GG Albert Bess took ill and never recovered. 

Great-Great Grandpa Albert (William A.)Bess died at age 43, leaving behind Great-Great Grandma Adelia Ethel (Johnson) Bess, 36, with seven living children. Great-Grandpa Alva was almost nineteen and the oldest of the seven. The rest were girls ranging in age from 16 1/2 to 3.  

This is a verse he knew well:

"Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path." -Psalm 119:105

The year was 1917. I cannot imagine the responsibility he must have felt. No wonder when he spoke of his sisters it almost held the warmth of a father. He graduated from big brother to something more. I know he traveled to find work where he could, as it was reported in the Lutesville, Mo, newspaper. 

GG Alva graduated from brother and son to husband when he married Great-Grandma Hulda. He was 24 years old and she was 18. Her family was in the Kankakee area and that is where they raised my Grandpa Vernon. Grandpa Alva graduated from husband to father... and then great-grandfather to many. Much of his family came north to the Kankakee area, but Lutesville and the Clubb Creek Church were always "home" in his heart. 

I remember a time when they moved to the Lutesville area (near Cape Girardeau) for a season. I remember the big Bess bunch converging upon the home where they lived with an elderly man who was blind. (I think we called him "Uncle Bob", not to be confused with Uncle Bobby Bess.) "Uncle Bob" was warm and welcoming to all of us. He had what I remember as a big home, and we filled it! It was a huge slumber party. The love, laughter, and fun overflowed. Uncle Bob loved to hear us sing "Jesus Loves Me." Great Grandpa & Great Grandma were caregivers... so the family went to them. I have a double-wedding ring quilt that ended up with my Mama when "Uncle Bob" graduated to heaven. It is a treasure in my home. 

My Great-Grandparents returned to Illinois and were surrounded by family for the rest of their  days. I remember their last chapter was spent in a lovely high rise facility for Seniors. It was perfect for them, but it was unsuitable for large family gatherings. The torch of hosting big family gatherings was passed on. In a sense, that was another graduation. 

If I had to sum up GG Alva in a sentence it would be this: "He was always grateful." GG Hulda was always welcoming. Grandpa Bess would give them 10 grandchildren. Seven sisters and three brothers at the final count. Twenty-three Grandchildren (plus 3 bonus that came with Uncle Dave Maisonneuve) and countless Great-Great Grandchildren. 

For many years, it was Mama Ina Mae and Aunt Judy who shared hosting the family at the holidays. Now, when gatherings happen in this season, it is the cousins taking the lead. Another generation of cooks graduated to making the plans, and washing the dishes. There is still laughter and plenty of noise in the kitchens and every other corner suitable for gathering.  

Life is full of chapters and moments. When one chapter ends, another begins. 

For our local MHS seniors, today is their day. Graduations matter. They are a beautiful reason to celebrate accomplishments, the journey, and the relationships made along the way. 

Today, I am grateful for graduations.