Michael Lassman was 13 years old when Elly Bennett was born, and he has been paternalistic to his half sister ever since. It was no surprise that he wanted to go along to her graduation from Georgetown University Law Center. He joined Nancy and Gary and I in Lancaster on Saturday, May 19, 2013, for the ride to the Marriott Residence Inn in  Dupont Circle on P Street, Washington, DC, arriving about 5 PM.

Elly came with her childhood-through-high school friends Liz and Lauren, and Liz’s friend Dan, for dinner at Scion next door. We learned that Elly would be awarded Magna Cum Laude honors at Commencement 2013, and enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate together the culmination of her stellar academic career. Michael accompanied Elly and her friends downtown, but I went back to the hotel to rest up for the big day ahead.

On Sunday we left the hotel about 10 AM for a taxi ride to the Mall, touring the Natural History Museum until it was time for the National Gallery of Art to open at 11 AM.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The drizzle ended early, and after lunch at the Gallery we returned to the hotel to dress for the ceremonies and to pack up for the return to Lancaster. At 2 PM we taxied about 2 miles through Georgetown to the University, and after much waiting around, walked to O’Donovan Hall where the Diploma Presentation Ceremony was to be held for Section 3, Curriculum B, the theoretical section.

We met Jon Thomson and his family here, and Elly gave us details on where she and Jon were sitting.

Elly and Jon and many in the class had rebelled at the cost of renting the Law Center caps and gowns, and instead donated that money to the Washington Food Bank.

Nancy rushed to the other side of the hall to catch photos of Elly receiving her degree.

 

Jon waited in line in alphabetical order to receive his degree.

After the ceremony we took these photographs to remember the momentous day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are all very proud of the outstanding person that Elly has become, and of the achievements that her talent, hard work, and perseverance have brought.

Michael walked back to the hotel for the car, and we returned to Lancaster, stopping at Hunt Valley for supper. It was an exhilarating weekend for all of us, and we basked in the glow of being together for a very important event.

A most meaningful Mother’s Day celebration began on Friday evening, May 10, 2013, when David and Janet Best arrived about 4 PM at Willow Valley from Rochester, NY, for our usual Friday dinner with Nancy Bennett. Gary was spending the week helping Geoff Bennett paint the exterior of his Abington house. Nancy met Elly Bennett’s train from Washington, DC on Saturday morning at Aberdeen, MD, so she could work in Lancaster on her take-home final exam of her law school years.

David and Janet picked us up about 11 AM on Saturday and drove us to Andy and Meghan Talarowski’s new house at 4800 Springfield Avenue in the U. of Penn/West Philly area of Philadelphia.

Paul Ruskin from State College and Anna and Mike Himes family from Allentown had arrived about noon and joined Meghan’s relatives from California who had arrived last Thursday for her Penn commencement next Monday. Matt came by train from New York City.

 

 

 

 

 

We arrived about 1 PM and Suzy took us on a tour of the new house.

 

 

 

 

She was delighted to deliver the contents of Andy’s Havertown bedroom to the new house, including his childhood toys, which Molly and Leela Himes devoured.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The potluck lunch and barbecue were delicious, and we enjoyed eating on the back porch in the enclosed back yard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meghan’s brother Bobby Pecaut’s family and cousins basked in the sunshine. The studio professor at PennDesign introduced himself to me and explained how much he appreciated Meghan in his classes. He was responsible for the trip to Zimbabwe which was part of her class.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We enjoyed the chance to chat with Meghan’s parents, Jon and Maryanne Pecaut, who we met at Yosimite, and with Fran’s sister, Paula Kendrick. Fran made traditional presentations of bread, salt, and wine as housewarming gifts, and we had a wonderful time immersed in family conversations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was good to watch the kids play around a house that must have seen many generations of children having fun on its lawns.

 

About 3 PM were about ready to return home when Geoff, Amanda, and Gary appeared from Abington. It was a great conlusion to a beautiful day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul took us back to Willow Valley, dinner, and an early bed time. We were exhausted but exhilarated after a wonderful family day.

On Monday, May 13, Elly Bennett came to Willow Valley for lunch and to say goodbye before returning to Washington for commencement on May 19. It was a fitting conclusion to one of the best possible Mother’s Days.