When the @writingproject Demonstrates the Family is a National Family. Love to Kelly Sassy, Red River Writing Project. And Congrats to Fairfield U Grad Stags!

Yesterday was graduation for Fairfield University and the ceremony returned to Bellarmine Lawn with masks and caution. It was different from most years; however, it is a Fairfield experience that makes campus life in southern Connecticut miraculous and beautiful. Nothing like walking to the ceremony, simply to see the Long Island sound as the backdrop. The morning weather was warm, sunny, and a great reminder of life still to return.

Afterwards, I returned home to drizzle, yard work, annuals, perennials (I scored Japanese yellow irises), and then later a visit from Kelly Sassi's son, North Dakota State University and Red River Valley Writing Project. It's a small world. For years and years, I centered one of Kelly's co-edited book, Writing On Demand, with Anne Ruggles Gere and Leila Christianbury, in my Kentucky classroom. She's always been a wonder woman in my world, and when I met her, I felt like I was in the presence of a movie star. Then, as I watched her boys get older via social media, I learned her son, Allessandro, was attending Wesleyan University in upstate Connecticut. It took 4 years, but he finally was able to visit Mt. Pleasant and Chitunga came to town from Stamford to join us for a beach walk, then Paradiso Pizza. I loved every second of the visit. 

Two men in their twenties. Two sons of Writing Project directors. Always family. Two emblems of incredible kids.

And both fascinating on all fronts: Allesandro's film work, Tunga's EY career, and their ability to connect in ways foreign to my generation. All joy. Spectacular time step.

I'm sad to know, though, that my right hand everything, Stefania, has graduated with her Masters degree in elementary education. She's been with me for Writing Our Lives events, as a Service Learning Associate, and as a Little Lab for Big Imagination co-teacher. I will miss her organization skills and her peculiar southern accent she managed to get from being raised West Haven, Connecticut. There are special human beings out there and then there are irreplaceable human beings - she's both of these. It is hard for me to imagine CWP without her....everything from Saugatuck Storyfest, to online teacher collaborations, to being my coordinator for service learning. I definitely need to think creatively for the perfect gift for her graduation (I already gave her a copy of Milo Imagines the World). Dang.

This year put so many pauses and delays in life, and it all happened so quick that I didn't realize I was losing this blessing. Phew. 

So, Sunday was a tremendous day. The boys, Stefania, my colleague out West, good pizza and IPAs. Man, midlife is something else. These kids will inherit the world and I know we are lucky for it.