The graduation season of 2006 has come to a close. The happiness, the hugs, the tears and the toasts are now memories filed away to be taken out and relived for years to come. The pictures and videos will document relationships, fashion, hairstyles and a time and place for every family who collects them. Down the road details long forgotten about each graduation will be refreshed through the pictures and videos and will bring with them the joy of the past moment.

My friend and I were talking the other day and decided that we enjoy college graduations over just about every other type of celebration. They carry so much meaning and reflect commitment and hard work. She talked about her excitement when her daughter graduated from college and how she cried and laughed at the same time and of course how very proud she was of her daughter.

Our family has seen its fair share of graduations. It will be bittersweet when we celebrate the last one. There will be relief that the tuition payments necessary for educating five children are over, but there will also be a feeling of loss as a stage in life comes to an end. There is great adventure getting to know the school your child attends and visiting the surrounding area. Local restaurants become familiar as you return to them with each visit and take your child out for a "real" meal. It is fun to connect with the parents of your children's friends, some of whom become your own friends. You find yourself on wedding lists and baby shower lists that would never have been without the college connection of your children. There are also the times you encourage or help your child through a difficulty when in college. It all goes together to make the experience what it is.

This year, as always, the announcements started coming in late April. As in every year past the same sentiment was shared, "How could this child be finishing college? Where did the four years go?" There were graduation party invitations and the gifts to consider. We have laughed with friends over the years that at graduation time we trade checks and gifts between families due to the fact that our children are so near in age. One year it seemed that between graduations - eighth grade, high school and college -- and confirmations with a first Communion or two in the mix, we were moving among the same houses over and over. Looking back I am so glad we did. Each and every event and each and every child deserved the celebration.

In most cases college graduation is a particular family affair - it takes a family to bring about a graduation. Usually it is mom, dad and the student working together. However, sometimes the circumstances are different. This year one of our daughters completed a master's degree at Loyola Marymount University and graduated in May. It was a big day. Announcements were sent out and an appropriate party was planned to celebrate. She achieved this milestone amidst pregnancy, a baby and being a first year high school teacher. She did it with grace and enthusiasm, and graduation day reflected everyone's pride as well as her dedication and perseverance. It was a family affair that included a husband, a baby and babysitting by grandparents, aunts and uncles. Though she did the difficult work of studying and getting the job done, the family pitched in to help with things outside of school, and we were all there cheering, clapping and shedding the proper tears of joy.

The families gathered to honor their graduate certainly shared similar emotions to the ones we were feeling. It was evident in the air of excitement and the many proud parents, grandparents, husbands and wives, among others, who were straining to get a picture of their graduate crossing the stage. It was one of those days you wish could last a bit longer.

At the end of the day, just when the party was winding down, the food was being cleared and cars were being loaded, our friends walked up the driveway. Their son had also graduated and though we cheered when his name was called we did not meet up after the ceremony as they went to their family celebration. When they arrived we were all tired and planned just a quick catching up. Two or three hours later we were still sitting in the back yard grateful for the opportunity to connect on a day that was so important to our children. We found room for another glass of wine, another piece of cake and a moment to thank God for the blessings children bring to our lives - even when they are long gone from our homes living their own lives.

Anne Hansen is a parent education consultant and a parishioner at Blessed Junípero Serra Church, Camarillo. Her e-mail address is familymail@aol.com.