<p>On the 15th of May (which happens to be her birthday), my daughter will graduate from Smith College. It seems like yesterday that you guys were giving me pointers and helping me understand the intricacies of American education. All in all, it's been a great ride with many ups and a few downs, and Smith delivered eveything they promised.
I would like to take this opportunity both to thank all those who helped me so much on this forum and wish them and their wonderful daughters the best of luck for the future. All my good wishes as well to the "newbies" who are about to embark on four of the best years of their lives.</p>
<p>Wow – I’ve been on this forum for too long! I can’t believe your daughter is graduating already. (BTW, my daughter graduated last year on the day before her birthday.) Enjoy Commencement Weekend – it’s full of traditions and good fun, a nice way to cap off four years of high education.</p>
<p>Your post sounds too much like a farewell. I hope you continue to visit CC and the Smith forum to share your experiences, especially since we have many international applicants posting here who could benefit from what you’ve learned. Maybe you can even convince your daughter to visit often to help guide prospective students the way S&P and Stacy do.</p>
<p>Hahaha, I had exactly the same feeling. I was posting on here when LiT’s Daughter was a prospie. Wow, I feel old. </p>
<p>Enjoy it! Commencement is so fun. Take advantage of all the events and enjoy spending time with your daughter. If you want a nice place to go to dinner that’s away from the crowds of downtown Northampton, I strongly recommend the Night Kitchen in Montague. It’s a beautiful restaruant, only open seasonally, and it’s housed in an old mill house overlooking the river (it’s the same place as the Book Mill bookstore, if you’ve ever been there).</p>
<p>We went to the Night Kitchen for our graduation celebration dinner, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. I think Mini had recommended it.</p>
<p>Congrats! I wish we could get back to the Night Kitchen, but it’s not a part of the world I frequent very often. Younger d. graduates from American next month - I have no idea whether/if we will go out to eat. (But I doubt we’ll need reservations…)</p>
<p>I don’t know, it is Washington, D.C. You usually need reservations and a permit before you can even sneeze in public. </p>
<p>I reccommend Ceiba :-)</p>
<p>My D also graduates next month! LiT - - wear a red carnation and meet me in front of Nielson on Illumination Night.</p>
<p>I’m not sure I will be there, foolishpleasure. My life is pretty appalling at the moment. After losing both my parents in the last 7 months, I was diagnosed with cancer in January and my doctor seems to think that air travel is not a good idea while undergoing chemo. However, I have not cancelled my ticket yet, and we’ll see how I am feeling in a couple of weeks.
Mwfn, as have said before, I am lucky enough to live in Paris, and will always be happy to help and advise those whose daughters are doing a JYA in France. Don’t worry, I am not about to disappear (I hope…)</p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear that, LiT. Sending you condolences, prayers, and good wishes for the weeks and months ahead.</p>
<p>I too am sorry - - and sending you good wishes.</p>
<p>My thoughts are with you and your family. I can tell even through this semi-anonymous forum that you have the gifts of strength and resolve. May they serve you well in the upcoming months. (Check your PM box.)</p>
<p>Very sorry to hear LiT. I don’t know if this is helpful, but my wife and I went to Italy (to visit my d. doing JYA while she was in the middle of chemo treatments - had her last one four weeks before going, and two days after getting back. We rented an apartment, and she slept more than normal, and did less in the way of walking, but overall it was a good experience. </p>
<p>Of course, I have no idea whether this might apply to your situation, and forgive me if I’ve stepped over the line. First priority, of course, is to get well.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your warmth. I just wish we could all meet up for real. I feel I have met people here that I would want to spend time with. Especially now.</p>
<p>Lit, my condolences on the loss of your parents and I am so sorry to hear of your illness. I’m sending warm wishes, hugs and determination to you for the time ahead. We’re here. Just let us know you need us.</p>
<p>Great news from my doctor! he gave me the green light and although it will be an exhausting 3 days, I will be attending the graduation. I cannot tell you how happy this makes me. The oncologist told me that he was convinced that my goal of going to Smith helped me overcome a lot of the secondary effects of the treatment: mind over matter again! My US sister will be there to help and drive me, and D1 managed to find a cheap ticket. So thank you all for your prayers and good wishes: they worked.
This will be the first time ever that I’ll see my daughter on campus (and the last…).
I am so excited 
:)</p>
<p>Oh, what great news, all around!</p>
<p>Lit, your wonderful news brought tears to my eyes. I’m so very, very happy for you! Have a glorious, never-to-be-forgotten time there!</p>
<p>Oh, LiT. That’s great news piled atop great news. May you have a wonderful trip. I’m sorry that I won’t be there to meet you but your time will be busy enough as it is. And congratulations to your daughter.</p>
<p>LiT, what wonderful news - - I’ sure you will, as Carolyn posted, have a glorious time!</p>
<p>Have a great time!</p>