Today, my oldest niece graduated high school. I told her that I could not be more proud of her if she were my own daughter. She knows that I think of her as the daughter I never had. In fact, the circumstances around her birth were such that I was willing to take her into my home and raise her as my own daughter. I was even willing to do that all throughout her life. After graduation, I gave her a gift...and heirloom locket that has been in my family for three generations (now four). It is supposed to be handed down from mother to daughter. My sister has the girls in the family, so prior to me giving her the locket, I spoke with my sister about me giving it to Jamie. I made it through my presentation to her without shedding too many tears. I still can't believe she's graduated!

Margarette
a.k.a. Jamie's proud aunt!

Congratulations to your niece!

You seem like a wonderful aunt! (I avoided the phrase "great aunt", that could get me in big trouble!) I’m sure she’ll always treasure the locket. Perhaps she’ll have a daughter she can pass the locket to someday.

I just saw one of my nieces today at a family birthday party. She’s practically a straight A student in high school and she’s talking about college now. I remember when she was a three-years old and a flower girl at our wedding. They do grow up so fast!

Nine more days of school left to go. 17 more days until I graduate. I cried the other day when the radio played Vitamin C's "Graduation Song". Goddess, it seems like just yesterday that I was crying on the last night of band camp, because I didn't want to graduate.

Tell Jamie good luck. I'm still waiting for my turn. *goes away with a knot in her throat and tears in her eyes*