1 month after the Wedding

July 15th 2045

Every single person from my year is here. Sitting in alphabetical order, row by row on the sports field. All our families and sat in the stands watching as the day has finally come.

It's Graduation Day!

I quickly glanced behind me and smiled as my entire family, including a 6 month pregnant Kat, was there watching. I looked back at the stage as the principal then came onto the stage and began talking.

"Good Evening Honored Guests , Ladies and Gentlemen and of course our seniors.

A graduation ceremony is always such a special occasion - the culmination of years of hard work; the actualization of goals attained and the acknowledgement of successes achieved. So, it is only fitting that today we commemorate the road that we have all traveled together these last few years.

It has been a journey that started with tentative steps perhaps, but one that has taken us to remarkable heights. We have encountered some trials and tribulations along the way...soldiered on and come out the stronger for them. We have experienced exceptional moments, magical moments and created memories that will be fondly remembered in the years ahead.

The end result Ladies and Gentlemen of our coming together, keeping together and working together, in spite of the obstacles that we may have faced along the way... that end result is the Graduating Class of 2045. My, how proud we are of the success that they have made with the opportunities that they were offered. Congratulations, we are inordinately proud of you all!

You are ready, willing and more than able to grasp the torch that we bestow upon you- yours is the future and on you the world will come to depend. May your years ahead continue to be characterized by empathy, compassion, objectivity and a willingness to take risks. May you always lead by example and work hard and play straight. May your successes be many and your tribulations be few and far between. We wish you everything that you so richly deserve in the years ahead - it has been an honor and a privilege watching your progress and success!"

Everyone clapped for a minute before the principal said

"Now after a rocky start to her time here at this school and after one very very difficult year, ladies and Gentlemen if you'd like to welcome this years Valedictorian Jaxson Tracy" everyone clapped more and people from the class chanted 'go Jax' I could even hear the guys all the way from the back. The principal handed me my diploma and I shook his hand before he let me stand at the pedestal. I placed my cards and diploma down before starting.

"Well, how can I top that, but what the hell I'll give it a go.

Friends, professors, administrators, and parents, welcome.

I know that we all think we're immortal, we're supposed to feel that way, we're graduating. The future is and should be bright, but, like our brief four years in high school, what makes life valuable is that it doesn't last forever, what makes it precious is that it ends. I know that now more than ever. And I say it today of all days to remind us that time is luck. So don't waste it living someone else's life, make yours count for something. Fight for what matters to you, no matter what. Because even if you fall short, what better way is there to live? It's easy to feel hopeful on a beautiful day like today, but there will be dark days ahead of us too, and there'll be days where you feel all alone, and that's when hope is needed most. Keep it alive. No matter how buried it gets, or lost you feel, you must promise me, that you will hold on to hope and keep it alive. We have to be greater than what we suffer. My wish for you, is to become hope. People need that. I know it feels like we're saying goodbye, but we will carry a piece of each other into everything that we do next, to remind us of who we are, and of who we're meant to be. I've had a great four years with you, and I'll miss you all very much"

Everyone was silent for a second before standing up and cheering like crazy. I looked up straight at the guy's and they were standing, clapping and cheering like crazy. After that the diplomas were handed out one by one.

When that last Diploma was handed out, the principle spoke
"Now, some of our students have decided to end this ceremony with a song they have written. So I'd like to invite those students back up to the stage and sing us out" Myself, Jackson, Callie, Josie, Max and Nick all got back up and went to the stage.

Max, Nick and I all picked up our guitars whilst the others set the mics up. When they were set up, Jackson and I stepped up and started the song...

[Verse 1: Jaxson, Jackson (both)]

A word's just a word

'Til you mean what you say

And love isn't love

'Til you give it away

We've all got a gift

Yeah, something to give

To make a change

[Chorus 1]

Send it on (Send it on)

On and on (On and on)

Just one hand can heal another

Be a part (Be a part)

Reach your heart (Reach your heart)

Just one spark starts the fire

With one little action

The chain reaction will never stop

Make us strong

Shine a light, and send it on

Max and Callie stepped forward and joined in

[Verse 2: Max, (Callie), Jaxson, •Jackson•

Just smile (Just smile)

And the world (and the world)

Will smile along with you

That small act of love

That's meant for one will become two

If we take the chances•

*To change circumstances*

Imagine all we can do, if we

[Chorus 2: Max, (Callie), Josie]

Send it on (Send it on)

On and on (On and on)

Just one hand can heal another

Be a part (Be a part)

Reach your heart (Reach your heart)

Just one spark starts the fire

With one little action

The chain reaction will never stop

Make us strong

Shine a light, and send it on

Send it on (Oh, send it on)

[Interlude: Max, Callie, Jaxson, Jackson]

There's power in all of the choices we make

So I'm starting now, there's not a moment to waste

[Bridge: Josie and Nick]

A word's just a word

'Til you mean what you say

And love isn't love

'Til you give it away

[Chorus 3: All]

Send it on (Send it on)

On and on (On and on)

Just one hand can heal another

Be a part (Be a part)

Reach your heart (Reach your heart)

Just one spark starts the fire

With one little action, the chain reaction will never stop

Make us strong (Shine a light)

Shine a light, and send it on

[Chorus 4: All

Send it on (Send it on)

On and on (On and on)

Just one hand can heal another

Be a part (Be a part)

Reach your heart (Reach your heart)

Just one spark starts the fire

With one little action

The chain reaction will help things start

Make us strong

Shine a light, and send it on

Shine a light, and send it on

Shine a light, and send it on

The second we stopped singing the crowd erupted and the seniors grabbed their hats and threw them into the air. I smiled up at my family before glancing to the sky, a single tear falling down my face as I muttered
"I did it Momma, I graduated..."

To be continued……