has anybody seen my Puffs?

Over the past year and a half as we've gotten to know each other, I've alluded to my sympathetic tear ducts occasionally. Those who know me very well, know that I tear up at the simplest, most ridiculous things sometimes. For example, I always cry at a certain point in the movie Apollo 13. Always. Even though I've seen the movie a dozen times or more. I know that they get back safely. However, I always have tears running down my face while I'm waiting for mission control to hear from the crew. Every single time. While reading our church newspaper last week, I teared up as I read portions of Karen and Beti's story, even though I've been a peripheral participant for the past couple of years and know their story inside and out. (Honestly, I think my daughter's biggest fear at her graduation was that I would propel myself at her legs, weeping and wailing as she walked down the aisle to accept her diploma. I did not. Not even when she walked over and handed me a stinkin' rose to thank us for whatever it was it was supposed to symbolize.)

All this brings me to the most recent display of over emotionalism in our lives. The Boy is a Junior this year. He attends a small Christian school (which is in a large baptist church.) We received a letter from their class sponsors on Tuesday. The small christian school does not have a prom. (Baptists still don't dance. Or at least they don't "sponsor" dances. The parents sponsor the dance. Go figure.) Instead they have a Junior/Senior banquet. The Juniors plan and pay for the Seniors. This is the last "official" act for the senior class (other than graduation) and they pass the theoretical baton to the junior class. So...back to the letter. First, it was a reminder of the Junior ring ceremony. They wanted to be sure we had submitted our baby pictures of our Junior child for the media presentation. (Can you feel my eyes watering already?) Then they talked about the banquet. This year it is being held at the Frazier Historical Arms Museum. The theme is "a night at the museum" and happens to coincide with the release of "night at the museum 2" and the class sponsors are planning to host a "red carpet event" complete with paparazzi (us parents). So, I am trying to read this to my husband and daughter and I can barely get the words out because I am all choked up. (One can only imagine what I will do when I take pictures on the red carpet.) And least you think all these waterworks exclusively for my child, think again. I'm sure I'll be weeping at the sight of each and every one of The Boy's friends as well. Because they have been a part of my life since they were itty bitty in the third grade. I'll be picturing them as little boys and girls (kind of like that insurance commercial where the little girl is asking for the car keys.) Sigh. I'll do my best to not mortify anyone. I wonder if they have an opening for a professional wailer? In the meantime, I need some kleenex. My um...allergies are bothering me. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.