The first of the graduation announcements came in the mail today--Matthew sent a gorgeous announcement, a very handsome picture, and an invite to a graduation blast. And so it is with May. I have to admit, though, that the tears came quickly on this one. Matthew has been the consternation of his father and the sole beneficiary of his mother's advocacy efforts for quite some time--mainly to see that his father doesn't kill him before he's old enough to vote and that he graduates and goes on to distinguished academic careers similar to his sibs'. Ah, that youngest child; makes men of us all. But despite his best efforts, Matthew will graduate and uphold his family's educational traditions. And it's quite safe to note that Matthew had 479% more fun in high school than either of those sibs of his, combined.

So congratulations to our boy and best wishes for the path of all graduates to be rock-free, if only just at first. By the way, the most stirring graduation speech the Chows ever heard was given by a graduate of Matthew's school. Turns out it was given by one of the children that used to live here. We reprint it above, with great love and pride.

JBelle
Bellemaison
The 'Kan EWA