THE LAST OF THE OOMPAS, and poohy!

Rocky graduated from the 6th grade on Tuesday.  The day marked the last time this generation of Oompas would walk the halls of the elementary school as a student.  Since our arrival in 1993 there has always been an Oompa in the roll books.  Gabe was the first, and he returned one last time to watch his baby sister walk across the stage, quietly marking the end of an era in elementary education.  I have no doubt that the 'quiet' was broken after the final school bell rang and the teachers watched as the last of the Oompas left the campus for the last time.  And then there was a loud, collective 'hip hip hurray!' and dancing in the faculty lounge.

All my life I have countered my children's declaration of how unfair something was with the fact that life isn't about 'fair'.  Well, here I am, whining myself about how unfair life is for me right now.  I've waited for 8 months to get my son back home.  I've waited even longer to hold my Grandbaby.  We've hoped and we've prayed, we've wheeled and dealed.  We've begged and we've borrowed, we've juggled and fast-talked, and yet, this morning I found myself once again saying goodbye to my son so that at least he himself has an opportunity to see and hold his son before having to return to Iraq.  The disappointment in not only missing out on the chance to meet my Grandson but also in losing much of the precious little time my own son has here with us in the states is immense.  In the silence of my mind I scream out 'ITS NOT FAIR!'  But I know, for I have said it often enough... Life isn't about 'fair'.  To that I say 'poohy!' 

I get to meet Kas 'hestiahomeschool' and her family today.  The Oompas and the Wildwomen together in one place, that should be real interesting.  If I don't post anything about the meeting this evening, you'll probably hear about it later on the 11 o'clock news.