Three kids…three milestones
From left to right: Madeline, Mike, Mary, Ellie and Marvin Kasal in a recent family picture at Red Rocks.
Having a child graduate into their next phase of life, at any age, can be emotional; your heart is pulled in different directions. Imagine having three kids move forward all at the same time.
Welcome to Mary and Mike Kasal’s world these past few months. The Kings Crossing parents watched two daughters and a son reach milestones. To top it off–-all three graduations were all on the same day.
Mary said, “I’m not usually a super emotional person, but I became one during the month of May. All the feelings…nostalgia, excitement and plenty of tears.”
The oldest, 18-year-old Madeline “Maddi” graduated from Rock Canyon High School. She is heading off to Colorado State University in the fall to study environmental conservation wildlife biology.
Next, 14-year-old Ellie finished eighth grade at Rocky Heights Middle School. Mary says she is the ball of energy in the family, taking on anything sports related and excited about learning to drive and high school.
And then there is 11-year-old Marvin, who graduated fifth grade at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE). Noted as the sensitive, hilarious and smart-as-a-whip kid, he heads to middle school in the fall.
Mary said, “I’m so proud of each of them; they’re exactly where they should be. Every ‘last’ for each of them hit me.”
In May, Maddi played her last lacrosse game. Mike had coached her from the time she was little up until high school. “Watching her walk off the field one last time was especially tough for him,” added Mary.
“The other biggie was Marvin, clapping out his own sister during the senior clap out at BRE. That nearly broke me!” Mary shared.
Happy and heart wrenching woven into one.
Mary added that her family is beyond blessed with where they are at this moment, but she does share advice for parents. “Soak it all in. Enjoy every moment, even if you don’t think you have capacity for one more ceremony or game.”
Mary added to take tons of pictures even if your teens are rolling their eyes. “Don’t let the chaos prevent you from being present. I know it’s cliche, but ‘the days are long, but the years are short’ has never felt so true than right now,” concluded Mary.
What a day for the Kasal kids as Madeline (18), Ellie (14) and Marvin (11) graduated from their respective schools on the same day and will move onto the next phase in the fall.
By Karen Leigh; photos courtesy of Mary Kasal
