One of the perks of Flora being valedictorian was that her family received reserved seats for the graduation ceremony. While the families of all the other students, except those with speaking parts such as the salutatorian and the class officers, had to queue up at least two hours before the ceremony to get decent seats, the tight-knit clan did not have to scurry for their seats. It turned out to be a huge blessing since Ginika now needed a Zimmer Frame to get around and could not have waited in line or moved quickly once the doors opened.
Caroline had trouble containing her excitement as she headed to their seats and orchestrated where everyone in the family was to sit. William had been tasked with helping Ginika navigate down the aisle. Once settled into her seat, Ginika was relieved she could see the stage without any obstruction as she had shrunk a little over the years and now, even on her best day, had trouble seeing over her steering wheel of her car on the rare occasion she drove it.
Greg, who planned to videotape Flora's speech, as well as her walking across the stage to receive her diploma, was equally relieved. Like Ginika, he felt a small lump in his throat every time he thought about his little girl being old enough to graduate and when he thought about her graduating at the top of her class, that lump doubled in size.
As soon as Flora's cheering section was settled in, they began looking at their programs while Caroline scanned the auditorium to locate some of the parents she got to know and like over the years Flora attended The Westminster School. When she enrolled her, she worried that Flora might not be readily accepted but her transition there was seamless and she credited that to the strong head teacher, Mrs. Edwards, whom she came to think of as a kindred spirit. She stood and moved around the rows immediately behind her, exchanging hugs and congratulations with the equally proud mums and dads she came to really enjoyed getting to know at various school functions.
When the lights started to dim, she returned to her seat and bobbed her head until she spied Flora leading her class into the auditorium. About ten minutes into the ceremony, Caroline realized it was the first graduation she had attended where she was just a parent and not responsible to run the show. It also struck her that she was more nervous than she was at any of the ones she presided over at Sulgrave.
The whole event seemed to be washing over her, until she heard Flora's introduction and watched her move to the podium. Caroline gasped quietly when she realized how much Flora looked like Kate at that moment; perhaps it was that she had the same elegant shoulders and slender neck, or perhaps it was because she had the same gait to her walk. But one thing that was unmistakable was that she had the same twinkle in her eyes. Caroline felt a pit in her stomach from the sadness that Kate wasn't there to share yet another important milestone as knew Kate would be bursting with pride. She briefly wondered if Flora thought much about her absence.
Sensing her rising emotions, Nicola reached over and grasped Caroline's hand, giving it a supportive squeeze. They knew Flora was nervous about delivering a speech before the filled to capacity crowd but neither had any knowledge of what she was actually planning to say. Despite how many times Flora talked with each of them to get ideas for it, she refused to share the speech with them, saying she wanted them to hear it for the first time with everyone else.
Flora's mums were all but giddy with anticipation and each swelled with pride at how confident she appeared as she scanned the audience with a level of composure beyond that of most students her age. She made eye contact with and flashed both of them her million pound smile just before she began speaking.
"Good evening classmates, teachers and, most importantly, parents. I'm humbled to be giving this speech and have to admit that when I was told I had to deliver an address, I had no idea where to begin so I started by asking Headmistress Edwards for advice. She suggested I do three things: give you my thoughts about what we've just accomplished and the next step awaiting us, put in a joke and keep it short. As I synthesized her suggestions, I turned to my parents for additional advice.
"My Mum, ever the scientist, suggested I talk to you about how we all started out like lumps of coal that were put under the constant pressures of schooling and growing up and that while it may have been a painful process at times, we've each turned into a multi-faceted diamond and we each need to continue to shine on as we've proven we're up to whatever challenges and pressures life may throw at us. Any of you who have attended her career day lecture about the sciences probably already heard her say it but she's right and it bears repeating. And yes, Mum, you heard that correctly, I just admitted that you were 'right' about something. But don't get too excited as that was really just my joke for Mrs. Edwards' benefit.
Flora looked directly at her mum and gave her a huge grin as the audience laughed at her remark. Nicola tilted her head so the side of her temple touched Caroline's as a means of connecting with her over the comment. It was something Nicola said to Caroline on their first Christmas Day together and she didn't know Caroline had used it in her presentations for the Foundation until just then. Caroline wiped a tear off her face with one hand as she gave Nicola's hand, which she had been holding, as squeeze with her other as she knew that Nicola would remember where she got the diamond story in the first place.
"Then I asked my other Mum, whose favorite pastime is gardening, what words of wisdom she would impart and she said that her best advice is that we should 'grow where we are planted.' We should make the most of every opportunity and not be afraid to put down roots and do all that we can to make our part of the world as beautiful as possible as it will lead to a more fulfilling life. She suggested that I remind you that even the smallest patch of dirt is capable of yielding the most beautiful plants if we remember to water and nurture them.
As Flora took a pause, Caroline looked at her wife and gently wiped an errant tear off of Nicola's cheek before turning her attention back to Flora on the stage as she started speaking again.
"My father's advice, however, was quite a bit different. He suggested that we shouldn't be too quick to want to put down roots. He compared leaving Westminster today to taking that first leap to explore our vast universe and all that awaits us. He reminded me that the first rule in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is DON'T PANIC and that we shouldn't be afraid of anything life throws at us as we've all been well-prepared for our next journey by our years here at Westminster.
Caroline shifted in her seat as she couldn't imagine where the speech was going next but she noted that Flora had acknowledged all three of them. Nicola, on the other hand, shot Greg a laughing smile. He winked back in response as his face erupted with a proud and toothy grin.
"I think it was my Dad's advice that really made me realize what I actually want to say to you all. Remember how in the Hitchhiker's Guide they were on a quest to learn the meaning of life, the universe and everything and the answer was '42'? That's supposed to be the number from which all meaning could be derived. Well, my life in many ways is indeed defined by the number 42 as that was the age my mother, Kate, was on the day I was born, which was also happened to be the day she died.
"I don't say that as a means to draw your sympathies as I couldn't have asked for a more loving and wonderful family or a more magical childhood and I have my three parents to thank for helping me stand here before you today. But I also need to acknowledge my maternal grand mum, Gigi, who instilled in me some of the lessons she believed my mum would have. The number 42 is my reminder not to take any day for granted. Count your blessings everyday and you'll always find something every day to be joyful about, even in the hardest of times. Don't be afraid to live your life out loud and with no regrets as that's what my mum was best remembered for doing.
"Today, let's be joyful for the memories that we'll carry with us from our years here at Westminster and count as blessings our families and our teachers who have prepared us for the next step. And let's be sure to live our lives in the future with no regrets and seize each day as if it were our last.
"I realized that all the advice my parents gave me about this speech actually had a common thread. And that is that life is a series of starts and stops, triumphs and challenges and we should not shy away from any of it out of fear of failure as life truly begins at the end of our comfort zone. As we go forward looking for our places in the world let's put down our roots when the right opportunity presents itself and shine like the diamonds we are. And when all else fails, let's remember one of the other important rules for hitchhiking the galaxy and not forget to pack our towels."
From their seats in the front of the auditorium, Flora's family lead the applause that only ceased when Mrs. Edwards replaced her at the podium and congratulated her on a fine job. She asked her to remain by her side as she presented her with Westminster's top scholastic scholarship.
It was quite a bit after the ceremony ended that Flora was finally able to break from the endless picture taking with her friends and join her family that had been patiently waiting for her. She took turns accepting hugs and congratulations from her siblings, Ginika, Greg and Nicola, saving Caroline for last.
"I couldn't be prouder of you," Caroline said as they hugged so tightly Flora felt some of the air go out of her lungs.
"Was my speech alright? Was my joke okay?" It wasn't like Flora to need such reassurance, but Caroline was all too happy to provide it.
"You were terrific. I loved the way you wove it all together," she said as she pushed a lock of hair behind her daughter's ear. When she noticed Caroline used her tissue to wipe away another set of tears that were forming in her eyes, Nicola decided to insert herself into the tender moment to help keep it light.
"I'd say the speech hit all the right notes, but I noticed the one piece of advice you left out that I really hope you'll remember," she teased. Listening intently, Flora cocked her head, dubious about what Nicola was about say. "As you go out to make your way in the world, remember to call your mothers from time to time."