She's All Grown Up...........

We are embarking on a very momentous time in the Gannon family. Tim's oldest son, Eric, graduates from Texas Tech (Lubbock, Texas) on May 9th. We are so very proud of him. He's worked very hard and has reached an awesome time in a person's life...Accomplishment.

BUT, also, our baby girl, Shannon graduates from Cy-Fair High School on May 30. She's definitely having that "moment" when you realize you are about to step into the "real world". (She's teases......as opposed to the fake world.) My wonderful husband is out of town today so at lunch my plans were to run to Home Depot and get some more mulch for my flower beds. BUT, right before noon I got a text message that asked me what I was doing for lunch and would I meet her. Knowing how she has been feeling lately, I told her of course I would meet her. She called me a little later saying she was already at Joe's Crabshack and had us a table. I told her I was almost there.

I walked in, looked around and there was my girl sitting at a table studying a menu. She noticed me and looked my way with that beautiful smile of hers. But before I got to the table, tears were filling her eyes eventually overflowing and running down her cheeks. It took all I had not to start crying myself (I knew what was wrong) and just sit next to her and take her in my arms and tell her everything was going to be fine. I didn't care that we were in public but I am also trying to walk this walk (again - Steph graduated in 2001) with her but allowing her some dignity and opportunity to grow. SO, I sat down and we started talking it all through. The first thing she said when I sat down was, "I don't want to grow up." It's the typical Senior end of the year. You realize that your whole life so far has pretty much been planned for you. You live with your parents, you go to school, etc., etc. Now, you are faced with YOU having to plan your life. It is scary. BUT, I told her that Papa Tim and I would sit down with her and help her. Don't let it overwhelm her because she doesn't have to have it all planned out right this moment. Let's take it step by step. Long story short, we had a wonderful lunch together and helped her know that it's ok.

Now, I get back to work and start processing this all myself. My little girl is all grown up. I immediately am taken back in my mind to her kindergarten graduation where the whole time I am videoing it I am bawling. I will never forget as the processional music played that beautiful little girl, with her peach Easter dress on and that handmade blue graduation cap walked in and I said to myself, "I will blink and you will be walking in to that same music with your cap and gown on." And it has happened. I have blinked and in 7 weeks I will watch her walk in with that burgundy cap and gown on and yes, I will be bawling again. But with such pride. Shannon is very unique. She is one of the sweetest people I know on this earth. She is so sincere. So sensitive. So caring. She would do absolutely anything for anybody. She has the sweetest heart you will ever see. She definitely has a gift.

I pray God's richest blessings over her life as He directs her on the path she is to take. I ask for your prayers because it is a tough time in life. BUT, she will soar like a eagle.........that I believe with all my heart!!!!

Here are a few pics of her as a little girl and her Senior Pics.

Shan and her Nana.

My beautiful daughters, Steph and Shan