Mistaya’s Magical Prom Night

Mistaya graduated from high school this past weekend.

httpv://youtu.be/tzGVtC39o7Q

Mistaya finished her exams, attended her semi-formal prom, her formal prom and finally her graduation ceremony. Despite the teachers being on strike, the ceremony went off without a hitch. Vice principals and principles of middle schools and elementary schools from around the district came to lend a helping hand for the evening.

The final graduation ceremony was very long even though they divided the graduates into 2 groups and two separate ceremonies determined by alphabetical order (KSS is a big high school). It was bittersweet to see my baby girl walk across the stage. She is a stunning example of everything I’d ever want a young woman to be; yet, I already miss the wonder years of being Mommy to the adorable, cherubesque baby Mistaya and darling, long-legged, inquisitive, little girl Misty. Unexpectedly, I found myself close to tears throughout the ceremony. The love I have for my girl (s) is overwhelming at times.

Peter and I are proud of Mistaya for the young woman she has become. She is intelligent, creative, courageous, kind, wise, cultured, sophisticated, adventurous and social—to a name a few of her qualities. As her mother, I can honestly say that she was born social, kind and elegant.

She was the baby who ate her food elegantly and pointed out any mess on her high chair immediately for her parents to tidy up (for some reason the tidy trait did not carry over to teenage bedroom tidiness!). Even before she could talk, she’d “baby chat” with fellow playmates in her own language to negotiate toy sharing—she was never one to snatch and grab. She has been the trail blazer for her two younger sisters who both adore her.

One of Mistaya’s most admirable traits is the ease in which she enjoys the company of others. She doesn’t need to be the best, or the centre of attention, to thoroughly enjoy any activity—she simply loves to be a part of a social group and have fun.

Offending Mistaya is nearly impossible. She lets any slights from others slide right off her back. She’s never one to carry a grudge or let another’s behaviour effect her self esteem. She is also humble and not one to ever brag. She took nearly all AP (advanced placement classes) this year. She’ll seem to effortlessly pull off A grades and no one will know of it until her report card comes home.

She has a special gift for math (although she claims to find it boring). She confided in me when she was in middle school that she sees numbers in colours and shapes and that she organizes numbers into patterns with colours and shapes in her brain. Also, she often writes her high school notes backwards (each letter backwards and also each word spelled completely backwards). When friends would ask to borrow her class notes on occasion, they’d be like, “What language is this? I can’t read this!” She told me she did it because she was bored.

She is also a major music lover. David Bowie has been a huge inspiration to her. She plays the piano, guitar and base clarinet. Although Mistaya denies it, she has a gift for languages too. She studied French and Japanese.

She loves the water—every since she was a babe. If she was ever upset as a baby, I’d fill the bath and let her splash around. She completed her life guard and water park-life guard certification this past year.

Next year I will again have my girl close to home as she is attending UBC Okanagan with a major in sciences. She is undecided as to her final career goal but she is only 17 and will have time to figure it out.

I could go on about Mistaya and how beautiful she is in every way. However, instead, I will let you browse through a short photo essay of her grade twelve graduation events.

Congratulations Mistaya, you are amazing. Raising you has been the greatest gift.