Special Guest Posting: Mike's Graduation -- One of my Special Miracles

Dear Fod's,

Just a quick post to wish all of my Mom Fod's a really wonderful Mother's Day. I will be thinking of all of you and hoping you are relaxing or puttering in your gardens tomorrow. Thank you for all the cards and Mothers day greetings and for thinking of us and keeping us in your prayers.
Another miracle happened today. Joe and I headed to Happy Valley yesterday for Mikes graduation and it was a wonderful experience. That PSU really knows how to handle crowds. Although 12,000 students graduated over the weekend, they spread the commencements over the three days and the times of the day to make it effortless. There were no waits, no lines, no traffic jams, and we parked in front of the auditorium! What a job.

We had dinner at our favorite Penn State hangout -- Damon's. That was our special eating place with Mike at Penn State, just like Pargo's was for Jester, and we had a train station at ESU for Joey. It seems that once we ate at the place for freshman movein, we never went anywhere else. We capped off Mike's 4 years where we started them -- at Damon's. Anyhow, I ate a whole rack of ribs -- yikkes! And then I finished it off with a Tuxedo Cheese Cake, drizzled with chocolate sauce. Yum -- I am out of control and loving it!

Mike was slated to graduate @ 9:00 AM so we ordered our breakfast via room service on Firday night. So, this morning we had an early room service breakfast and Mike joined us after he called and said, "hey -- do you guys have anything to eat over there?" Luckily, we ordered extra and by 7:00 we were all having eggs, bacon, sausage, coffee and tea for Mike's big day. Joe and I went over early to get seats, which was really not necessary. But since we were in a stadium, once we got the seats, we called Joey and told him that we were at Portal 24, row F seat 16. Is that efficient or what!

Graduation went beautifully, it was very touching and my eyes moistened often -- Mike graduated with degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology, with a minor in chemistry -- and we only thought that he was "blue and white man" on the TV cameras! The speaker was Dr. Horvitz, from MIT and a recent Noble Prize winner in Medicine and Biology for his work on cancer research and neuroscience. How appropriate! I was seeping during his speach as well -- he studied the death cell rates of microscopic worms! Holy Moley -- this then lead to discoveries in neuroscience and ALS -- and his papers are referred to as the "Universality of genes." Smart guy -- but down to earth -- and he gave good advice to the graduates.

We had a lovely dinner @ 2:30 at an Inn in Boalsburg, an historic town a few miles outside of town. Many thanks to our HUP Nurse friend Lauren for the tip --- what a really great place, thanks Lauren! Mike said that the place was "bangin" -- although we are not sure what this means, we think it is a good thing.

On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at a huge book sale at the Agricultural building on campus. We bought 12 books (hard cover) for $19.00. I love a bargain.

We then headed home and drove through 4 rains squalls before we hit Lansdale. Thank God Joe was driving since I don't see well at night, especially in the rain.

Anyway, thank you for all of your prayers that helped me stay strong and make the miracle of Mike's graduation possible. We are posting late tonight, but wanted all of you to know that we were thinking of you today, and thanking you for all of your help this far along the journey.

I love you all.

Debbie