A Much Anticipated Event ~ June 30th

This incredibly busy week was almost over, but not before celebrating Charles' graduation at home with family and friends. After working Sat. night shift, I woke up running... thankful for a sunny day.While Charles worked an afternoon shift, we quickly transformed the house to reflect how Charles has grown up. At the door, special greetings from his childhood "friends"...

"The Force is strong with this one" Congratulations Padawan!
Remember Yoda's advice: "Do or not do, there is no try."
 Karpiuk, Charles.. Graduate you are!

Artwork from 10 years earlier, all gifted to Mom or Dad.  :)

Too much food...

Scott, our faithful BBQer, and the grandparents.

Uncle Stu is always a big tease...

 Tom & Lew enjoy embarrassing big bro.

 Youth group friends: Katrina, Angela, Katie and Erika

 Rhea and Sunny, too.

Always happy to see cousins Kailey and Kieren.

 Nora loves her pink rubber boots~ so stylin'

 Everyone gathers for group games... helps to have prizes offered!

 Charles reads off the suggested nicknames to choose from if he were a police officer...

 And the winner...

 Thomas enjoys leading the group in the "Charles' Trivia" contest that he designed...

A sampling...
1. What did Charles do during recess for most of Kindergarten?
       a) Play tag b) Play Pokémon c) Stand with the supervisor d) Talk about girls 
       e) Run away from girls

2. What is Charles’ future career aspiration?

a           a)  GQ model b) A&W franchise Owner c) Police Officer 
            d) High school Art teacher  e) All of the above

3. Which Star Wars character did Charles most resemble as a child?

        a)   Jabba the Hut b) Yoda c) Spock d) R2-D2 e) George Lucas

 Oh, it's fun to reminisce... and give some payback!

First prize? A baby barbel!

 And a Tim card for the trivia contest.

I think I managed to keep this part a surprise, although it's clearly a tradition now to receive a graduation quilt from Mom. Charles was gracious in receiving his mostly finished quilt top that I started in March. I have yet to get back to it, but that will be a definite goal of September.

 I think it will be big enough...

 All the girls approve... aahhh!

We moved inside for dessert... as if we needed to eat more. After this we watched a 55 minute grad movie that I made, spanning too much of Charles' life. (But I loved it just the same.) Not surprisingly, most of the friends had to leave during it... missing the end with all of them in it. Oh well! A definite keepsake.

  Nora tries out the snazzy Grad glasses.

 Congratulations, Charles! We're proud of you! (Check out James... he's a funny guy sometimes!)

Thoughts on Your Quilt, Charles~                                               

When I thing of you on the colour spectrum, I always come back to blue. You are my “blue boy” for many reasons:

               ~Your blue eyes are the most blue of all the family.

               ~You are often calm and low-key... like still, peaceful water.

               ~Prone to moodiness, you can feel “blue” at times. :)

I had some colour advice in adding a hint of purple for the inner border, because it is unexpected. Life is like that… plus, I love purple almost as much as blue. J The surrounding outer border (yet to be added) will tone the wild combinations down a bit, with it’s tranquil feel. Never forget the peace of God ever present for you in the midst of hard times. Jesus Christ can always calm the storms of your life when He’s sharing the boat with you.

In terms of a quilt pattern, squares seemed to keep coming to mind. Not because you are “nerdy” in any sense, but more like the song, “It’s Hip to be Square”. I also thought of how people like to box each other into certain roles and expectations. You have a way of not staying in the “box” that you’d naturally be put into, or choosing to stay in a “box” no matter what people think because it’s what you want. All of my squares are unique, each a beautiful combination of colour and design. You are tuned in naturally to such detail.

Not knowing how this quilt would turn out as I chose two colour palettes called “Lagoon” and “Sand”, I hoped for the best. My focus on these hues together reminded me of many happy family times together in Parksville, at Rathrevor Beach; also of bright tropical colours reminiscent of your recent trip to Guatemala. When you view this overly vibrant quilt, I hope you can remember those beach times together, anticipate exploring new views of water, sand and sky, and lastly to continue to become that calming presence~ the comfort that blue is, to so many people. May your blue eyes always greet the world with joy, friendliness and comfort, the way your Maker intended.

I have enjoyed this project thoroughly in reflecting on the young man that you are becoming. Congratulations on your Graduation… With much love, Mom

 Now we can both move onto the next chapter...