The Last Fisher Family Member
Graduates from High School
Preparing to Walk through Many More Doors of Opportunity
by Marti Fisher
Several months ago, on a very ordinary day, my emotions were hit by a two-ton truck. Tears started to flow, then turning to sobs. The reason? Our last child was graduating from high school.
Thoughts of an empty nest seemed to engulf me. Sweet memories played on the strings of my mind. I could feel the music changing but wasn't too sure I liked it.
However, the music wasn't at all for me. It was about our precious little 6-foot-tall Abby. She had been voted “friend to all” and “biggest heart” by her classmates. She had played flute in the marching band for the past four years. She had co-led a Christian club on campus while going on 18 mission trips during her four high school years. She had played badminton; taken five challenging AP (advanced placement) exams; was finishing up Girl Scouts.
But most of all, Abby was doing something very meaningful: she frequently hugged me and said, "Mom, I love you so much." Now that’s irreplaceable! For sure I will miss her when she goes to college. But, thankfully, she was accepted by the college of her choice, Azusa Pacific University (APU), which is only 45 minutes away from home!
On graduation night, June 9, Abby’s face was aglow with excitement (as shown here and in the photos below). We were so proud to see our daughter, #17 out of a class of 808, graduate with honors. It would take several hours before the name of the last graduate was called. Then the "music of fireworks" sent booms and crackles through the sky. Hats were tossed high. Adrenaline appeared to have been pipelined throughout the theater.
Then Abby’s tears began flowing. Realizing the importance of this event, she told me, "Mom, do you realize that I have spent 10,000 hours with Amanda?" (See, below, the photo of Abby and her special friend). We endlessly snapped pictures of Abby and her friends and then rushed ourselves home so she could get ready to enjoy "grad night at Disneyland."
The big event and celebration are over. But wait — things are just beginning. On September 4, Abby will attend APU’s freshmen orientation. I'm so excited for her. She plans to major in business and minor in global studies. With Jesus standing center stage in her life, Abby longs to be a missionary.
I've already sewn her laundry bag and I'm working on her quilt. This has been a tradition of mine since our first child, Anna, headed off to college.
Please join me in prayer for Abby as she prepares to walk through many new doors of opportunity while listening to a new symphony.
(Below, I've displayed a few action photos of Abby's graduation.)
