I don't Cry.

I'm not a crier. Not big into tears. Takes pretty much a tragedy to make me a Sukie LaLa. (That's auzzie for wuss) But today I cried. A Lot.
Why do I live overseas? I am in a foreign country very different from The States. I am on the other side of the world from my mom and dad. My host country is Culturally opposite of Texas. And then today as I watched my children cross the stage in their moving on ceremony, I realized, This Is It.
As each child's name was called, their favorite memory of the year was read aloud. They were given their Graduation Certificate by their teacher and their hand was shook and congratulated by the Head of School and the principal of our campus.
After each and every child had been recognized, they took their parents a flower and thanked them for their support. Hugs were done and the kids sat to watch a beautiful slide show of their year. Standing as a unit the Class of 20...was announced as balloons reigned down from the ceiling. Each child received an ISKL gym bag for their journey next year and a cake reception followed.
Now here's the kicker and the reason I was crying. My children did not graduate from High School today. They graduated from Grade Five. They are officially the Class of 2017. This amazing experience was all for Leaving Elementary School! I cried because of the incredible education they are receiving in such a dedicated environment. I cried because each person in that auditorium is there, because they want to be. The teachers, Love to teach. Most of the parents are just like us, overseas because they want their children to have the best education possible. And I cried because my babies are growing up.
Any time I get homesick, I will reach into my memories and remember the joy on the kids faces as they became the Class of 2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. And I won't cry.