Four Grandparents and a Graduate

We recently traveled to Denver to attend Kaler’s graduation from Prairie View High School. On Friday, May 26, 2017 our 18-year-old grandson – David and Jan’L’s firstborn - donned cap and gown and joined his 375 classmates for ceremonies at the Coors Event Center on the campus of the University of Colorado at Boulder.

According to statistics relating to this Class of 2017:

*  48% plan to continue their education at a college or university
*  37% plan to study at a community college or trade school
*  11% are going to work
*  4% plan to or have already enlisted in a branch of the US military (the largest group of military in the school’s history)
*  $3.6 million total scholarships awarded

After the festivities, mothers of 4 ward member graduates from Kaler’s class organized a party at the church. Kaler wanted his own party, but a surprising number of his friends and ward members showed up for the evening … and Jan’L, in her usual amazing way, had helped organize an impressive celebration.

And then there are the other three Denver Sappington boys:

Fifteen-year-old Kole didn’t graduate from anything, but he is moving up from a freshman to a sophomore at Prairie View High School, making him next-in-line for graduation at the Sappington house. He plays percussion in the PVHS marching band and concert band – including during his brother’s high school graduation - and next year he will be a member of the symphonic band.

Eleven-year-old Kyle is on track to becoming an academic all-star, as well. A recent graduate of Henderson Elementary School, he and two other students were selected from among 84 students in his class to present his “Influential Teacher Speech.” He was also recognized with the “Math Excellence Award” (he was up for Reading Excellence as well, but was told he couldn’t get them both … so he had to chose); for “All A’s and B’s All Year” and as the “Most Valuable Computer Nerd” awards.

In addition to graduation, G-Ma Linda enjoyed spending time with the boys (all 4 of them). We shot baskets at the nearby – and nearly finished – park, just a half-block from their home; playing Phase Ten and/or Uno on the front porch and just catching up! It was a really lovely weekend and – except for the 22-hour / 1300 mile roudtrip drive – I’m really glad we went!

On another note: I had been suffering (should be capital “S”) for about three weeks with sciatica before we left for Denver. My right knee has been killing me … but the rest of the story is David’s left knee has been causing him pain for about the same amount of time. He thinks it is a torn meniscus which might require surgery … so both of us limped around for the entire weekend. But he has also been – in general – feeling lousy with intermittant fever, back pain and nausea.On the day we left, he finally felt bad enough to go to a doctor who diagnosed a urinary tract infection and a “massive” kidney stone (1.1 centimeter) which will require the care of a specialist, including lithotripsy!!! His medical team is going to try to smash the stone into small enough pieces so he will not suffer too much while passing them, but he’s been told to expect more before this is over!