It is a big thing to graduate from high school in Finland. Not because it is rare these days, but it once was, which means the traditions have held firm. The main part is that they get a white cap that looks a bit like a sailor's hat, and they will often wear it every May the 1st for the rest of their lives. And then, after the school ceremony for parents, there is usually some kind of graduation party held at the home, with family and friends giving a flower and usually some money instead of a present.
Today it was one of my wife's nephew's turn to graduate and the party was held at their summer cottage, which is an old converted farm building. It is nice out there and really quiet, other than the sounds of the forest and today, congratulations for the graduate. I was designated photographer (which is about all I am good for in the family) and took a lot of photos of guests and some portraits of the graduate, which I have to sot through and edit. I joked with him that if there isn't a good enough one for his mum, I will use AI to render a better version of him.
What a weird world when memories are faked.
But that is an article for another day.
Tonight though, I just wanted to write a bit of an appreciation post for my daughter, who is pretty awesome most of the time and is growing up fast. She was saying how it is about nine years away until she will graduate, which seems so long, but I reminded her it isn't that long. For her though today, it is a full lifetime and even when she gets there, it will be a half a life, but for me at that stage, it will only be a sixth of a lifetime.
Time moves faster and faster, the more we live.
I took those on my phone, so I have at least a couple photos with Smallsteps. As photographer, I am rarely in the photos and I am like an absent father if looking back through the many images from all the events. Perhaps I appear in some reflections or something, like a ghost. A reverse vampire - can only be seen in mirrors. But it is fun taking pictures of people and I wish I had the money for all the great lenses I would like to buy, but it is endless. I can do okay with what I have, but I have barely picked up the camera for people photography in ages.
Smallsteps "graduated" from her year three class today and her grades were "excellent for everything, which is pretty much par for the course for her. I am not too sure if that is the same for every kid in that age group, but these days I think there is a bit of a variation. However, since this is her first year at a new school where the kids are a fair bit more interested and motivated, the spread isn't as wide as it was at her previous place.
I get frustrated with her too often, as in so many ways she is able to hold her own in a conversation, but at the same time, I do forget she is not yet ten. I am guessing that this is common for many parents, but I also think it goes the other way a lot these days, where we underestimate how capable a child is. That holds them back also.
But, she is awesome.
And maybe one day she will come across this post, see the pictures and remember that once upon a time, she would have a laugh with her dad and there is even photographic evidence to prove it. But by then of course, she will question the authenticity of the image, since I might have used AI to create good times to trick her memories.
Trust no one?
She will learn.
Back to editing photos....
Taraz
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