Isolation Graduation

I haven’t written any blogs for awhile because there has not been much to blog about.  It was either get up, worry, do some chores, worry, drink 🍷 and go to bed.  It became get up, go to work, check the MDH website, ride bike, worry and go to bed.  Hopefully you can see how that would produce a level of apathy for producing anything of quality.  

Now over the last few months there have been several bright spots which do make life fun.  I don’t want to say fun again because life is fun.  You can always find laughter, friendship and love if you want to look hard enough.

Here are a few highlights:

Social distancing beers at Lake Riley with CP, ScottyRob, SD and me

Gracie art projectpoloza 

Painting the sunroom.  This looks has not been seen since summer 1991 at CHS.

William Sonoma buttermilk 🧇.  Are amazing.  Call ahead if you would like to reserve a seat for my waffle bar.

Black Stack Brewing after a bike ride.  OK maybe even sometimes before a bike ride.

Family time and Family photos.

Missing a 2 on #4 by this much when I played with my wife.

All of those things were great but the biggest and best event was the graduation 👩‍🎓 of Ashely Grace Anseth from Holy Family Catholic High School.

It was hard watching our oldest daughter miss out on so many senior year events.  No Prom, No skip day, No cutting class, No hanging with your friends on a deck or a beach or a boat, No spring break, No graduation party and No time for the shenanigans that help you move from a high schooler to an independent college student.  She missed so much but handled it well and the few moments she didn’t well... then It was all her mom’s fault.

Ashley graduated on May 20th, 2020.  We didn’t know if she as going to have a ceremony.  The Holy Family staff worked tirelessly to organize a graduation ceremony around the football field.  I was not sold on this.  In fact I feared it would be a giant dumpster 🔥.  I was informed that regardless the Anseth family was going to participate.

Ashley at home before graduation.

Just for effect it is 2020. 

At the football field.

Father Gjengdahl performing the baccalaureate before graduation.

This is a drone photo I stole of the graduation ceremony.  It was a gorgeous night in Victoria to celebrate the graduation of Holy Family Class of 2020 and Ashley Anseth.

Principle Kathy Brown addressing the students and the families.

The families stayed in their cars for the ceremony.  There were time we used the WiFi to view an address or a slide show.  The staff read the students thoughts on graduation out loud.  It was very well done and quite meaningful.  I was amazed at how much fun it actually was.  Finally when it was time to get the diploma a flatbed was pulled up in front of our car.  Ashley left the car, ascended a couple of steps. She took her diploma and clay medallion with the Holy Family Cross on it.

Ashley still hasn’t graduated yet.  What if she tripped here.  That would be so 2020.

Keeping our eyes on the Prize.

The Graduate 👩‍🎓 in all of her glory. Seems appropriate that the sun should be shining down softly on her at this moment.

Dad and the Graduate kicking it in the car.

Kari wants in on the fun too.

The whole family sharing the moment.  It was amazing to share this moment together.  In someways it was much better than a regular graduation because Ashley was with us talking about the experience.  We all got to share this moment together.  Even Nana, Papa, Grandma Eva, Wendy, Keith and Marissa got in on the act by live streaming the festivities at home.

The medallion the HF staff made for each student.

After each student received their diploma HF put on a ridiculously long fireworks display.  It was almost as awesome as Choteau 4th of July.

Kari and I have video that shows how great this display truly was.

While we were at graduation, our friends the McNultys came over to our house and decorated it for Ashley.  The numerous cards were arranged around the house and over the doorways.   It was very special for Kari and I to see how many people love and care about our oldest daughter.  The pictures really don’t do it justice.

Ashley’s pictures for K-12 over the doorway

The rapper known as KT, Ashley and Grace opening A few present for the newest high school graduate.

The next day we opened all of her cards.  In a time where many feel disconnected we were able to feel very connected to our friends and family.  We were also able to see how connected Ashley was to her friends and their families.  It was a very cool way to spend an afternoon.

The memo on a check Ashley received.  Not sure they drink White Claws at the University of Wisconsin.

Out great friend Diana was nice enough to take photos of Ashley around graduation. The pictures  are beautiful and incredibly meaningful to Kari and I.  Just another way someone helped us see how blessed we really are.

Ashley and her cap

Ashley and her graduation gown

Cap and Gown 🎓 

These girls all managed to graduate.  Can’t wait to see what they do next.

Cecily, Catlin, Ashley, Allie and Holly

Friends

Kari and Ashley.!.!  Stylin and Profiling 

Mask on for Graduation  😷 

Sister time.  No bribery or threats were needed this time.

Family!!!

Ashley heading to University of Wisconsin. Go Badgers 🦡.

That is a wrap.  Thank you Holy Family for providing Ashley with a place where she was challenged and loved.  I cannot wait to see what this dynamic young woman does with the next chapter of her life.