<p>OMG jlauer! That's horrible! I am so sorry.</p>
<p>And as I mentioned in a few of the posts above, if GF is still on the scene, she'll definitely attend older s's grad. Extended family and old HS friends aren't really an option. </p>
<p>It will work out...
Oh, and fwiw, when I flew up to my 30th HS reunion, I arrived to my mom having had a small stroke and seizure. I spent the seekend at the hospital as well, though was able to make a "brief" appearance at the reunion. An I know of someone whose father had an MI (heart attack)at her wedding. Yukky stuff.</p>
<p>Did you notice something similar in the last two posts...people had taken time off to be with one person, to visit one person, and because of that, a person in need was able to have people they loved around them...</p>
<p>It is hard and sad when something physical happens at a family event, but imagine if that person had been alone</p>
<p>If jym626 hadn;t gone to that reunion, she might not have been there in time for her mom, and the dad with the heart attack at a wedding, awful, but it could have happened when he was all alone and no one there to help</p>
<p>Not a silver lining, per se, but I think when we turn a bad situation around a bit, we can maybe see how while an event turned into a nightmare, at least, as jym626 did, you can be there for your family if it happens that way</p>
<p>CGM-
You are so right. My dad had no clue what had happened. Forutnately I could tell something wasnt right with my mom (who hadnt felt well so didnt come to the airport to pick me up). I did a quick mental status exam, looked at her facial assymetry, discovered that she'd lost bladder control, and calmly told my dad to call 911. (I didnt tell him all that I'd noted). It was a Fri night. He thought we could call the Dr. in the morning. If I hadn't have been there, who knows what would have happened. I am very thankful I happened to be in the right place at the right time. things happen for a reason....</p>
<p>I'm sure you posted previously about this but I quickly looked thru the prior posts and can't find the info..... Did your mom have a stroke, too? I am sooo sorry. Having been thru it with my own mom, I know what it can be like --- all the bad news from neurologists, etc.</p>
<p>Sorry for all the typos in post # 43. I was in a hurry (and I am a terrible typist),
My mom had a TIA and a seizure back in 2001. But she also had Parkinsons, which was far more debilitating to her. She then had some other medical complications on superbowl Sunday in 2004 and, sadly, passed away, after 5 weeks in the hospital, in early March. It was not a fun time. Flights back and forth to NY... well, I won't go on. </p>
<p>Anyway, my mom was very proud of her grandsons, and their accomplishments. She worked in school systems for years, and education was very important to her. I think it is partly her influence that has me so bent out of shape about not being able to attend both graduations.</p>
<p>I didn't even go to college graduation. HS graduation was a big deal though, celebrated in numerous ways. It really is the milestone-the real rite of passage into adulthood and the celebration of the college journey. </p>
<p>Our culture really doesn't have a formal rite of passage into adulthood. HS graduation is about it. I would not overlook that for your younger, particularly since the older had both of you there.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Our culture really doesn't have a formal rite of passage into adulthood
[/quote]
Actually, in our religion, we do have the "passage into adulthood", that both boys celebrated at age 13. But all in all, it seems that the concensus here is that the HS graduation is far more imp't. I said something to my older s yesterday about the graduations, the possibility that one of us would watch his graduation via the webcam, and the hope that we'd have a big party for both. He was appreciative, and said that with the technology available, especially with changes over the next few yrs, we'd probably be able to stream a feed into our cellphone and watch it without disturbing anyone at younger s's HS graduation. Of course by then my eyesight will be so bad, I wont be abe to see anything on a teeny tiny cellphone screen!</p>
<p>Oh Jym, it's two years from now - things could change so dramatically between now and then that it isn't worth getting worked up about now. For all you know your older son will graduate a year early or late - and then problem solved. </p>
<p>FWIW, I went to the Rice graduation last year and it's SO SO SO long, and pretty boring too. Because not only do they do the 720-ish undergrads, but also all of the grad students. Last year, I went at the beginning, stayed for a while, left and went out for breakfast for about an hour, came back and watched the last hour or so.</p>
<p>Jenskate--"and went out for breakfast"---finally, a workable solution to the my son's several-thousand-student college graduation that I've been dreading. Assuming he graduates (next year). If they both graduate on time, DH and I are looking at two graduations two weeks and 3000 miles apart. I'm trying to persuade DS he wants to get a five-year masters instead ;)</p>
<p>Jenskate-
If the graduation drones on ond on for that long, maybe I can hop a plane at the end of younger 's HS grad and still make it for part of the ceremony :) Wait... come to think of it, the HS graduation drones on and on too.....</p>
<p>And as I mentioned above, eah boy has offered to fail a year in order to solve the scheduling conflict. Not a viable solution.....</p>
<p>ok, ok, but older son could graduate early... maybe. Although I seem to remember that he is an engineer, no? so maybe not. Does his department offer the five year master's? DMD could be on to something.</p>
<p>Fortunately our HS district school year ends in mid-June so there is not a possibility of this conflict. If this did happen one choice would be for each parent to attend one gradution ceremony.</p>
<p>However many hs students could not care less if their parents attended this ceremony. Our son certainly fill into this category. In such a case, grandparents and other close family could attend the local HS ceremony while the parents attended the college ceremony. This would be a definite possibility if the HS grad will be going on to college. If not, at least one parent should attend IMHO.</p>
<p>Hey, I've got an idea. Can I trade my son who seems to care about college graduation for one of yours who doesn't? :D . Alternatively, if you happen to live in Houston, would one of you accept a "small" donation to stand in for us???</p>
<p>My older sister would be really mad if our graduation days had fallen on the same day and no parents showed up. Actually so would I. I vote split the parents and be glad you don't have triplets!</p>
<p>My Ds are very pratical...I can almost hear my older one, saying, oh, please, please come (monotone voice), and if you can't come, how much was the airline ticket gonna be and I would feel so much better if you couldn't make it, if I could have the ticket money for a trip!!!</p>
<p>Not that they wouldn't LOVE us there, its just they can play the guilt card and to make US feel better, would suggest the above</p>