Would you go?

United States
June 23, 2009 1:36pm CST
My sister is graduating from middle school tomorrow. She'll be heading into High School in the fall. Her school will be putting on a big production for their graduation. My sister wrote an essay that someone (not her cuz she's shy) will be reading at the graduation. My mother and sister want me to go, but I'm just not sure. It's at 8:15 am, and about 30 minutes away from me, so I have to be up, dressed, and out the door long before I'm used to being up. Plus, it's hubby's day off, one of us is supposed to sleep in, and I was hoping it would be me as I've been so tired lately! My car will be in the shop, so I'll have to use hubby's car, not a huge deal, except since we weren't planning on driving his around this week, he'll need more gas, and now that we've had to pay to tow mine and get it fixed (still not sure how much that will cost as I'm not sure what's wrong with it) we don't really have the money to put into gas. So I'm not sure I want to, and not sure I can afford to. Graduating middle school isn't really a big deal to me, if it were high school there wouldn't be a question, I'd go! But this is just middle school. What would you do?
3 people like this
15 responses
• Bulgaria
23 Jun 09
I would definitely go. Nothing is more important than te little things and little joys in life. If I know I'll make her happy by going, I would never hesitate.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Jun 09
If it was that important to my sister that I was there, I would be there despite any other circumstances. Even though its just a middle school graduation. ; )
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
29 Jun 09
answering from email...So did you go? I am 34 and have a young sister that my mom adopted and I am hoping that I will be able to go to her graduations when the time comes, I don't have a car so it will be kinda hard to do unless someone takes me. If you didn't go did you get anyone to take pics atleasr?
• United States
29 Jun 09
No, I couldn't end up going, both my cars broke down.
• United States
1 Jul 09
I would of weighed my options. Wich would be cheaper sending a congrats card + say $5-10 or attending. Obviously I'm late in replying but that's what I would of done especially if you don't want to haul everyone out of bed or to the event at such an early hour.
• United States
1 Jul 09
I couldn't go because both cars had broken down... but it would have only been me going anyways, not everyone.
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
23 Jun 09
I sorta feel like you, that middle school graduation is no big deal. I can't remember ever "graduating" from anything but high school. I guess I would just explain to your sister your situation and if she doesn't understand, she will end up getting over it.
• United States
23 Jun 09
I told my mother about the vehicle situation, and I just e-mailed her with an update (seems my car hasn't even been towed yet, and hubby has been trying to fix it himself still). So she is prepaired for me to say no if it comes to that. I still haven't completely decided, I think I'm leaning towards not going though.
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
8 Jul 09
Thanks for the best response.
@galih_gg (31)
• Indonesia
24 Jun 09
hmmmmmmm
• United States
24 Jun 09
Thanks for taking the time to respond
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
23 Jun 09
I would say under those circumstances that it would probably be fine to skip it. I'm sure your mom and sister would understand. Although I might leave out the part of you wanting to sleep in lol. I more would just focus on the fact that your car has broken down and you guys are strapped for cash anyways. Maybe they can tape it for you so you can see it later. I agree, a middle school graduation isn't that big of a deal.
• United States
23 Jun 09
When I was on the phone with my mother today I told her I just wasn't sure if I could. At that point my car hadn't even been towed yet, so I told her I just wasn't sure I'd have the gas money. I could probably just call her later and tell her that the repairs are going to take all our money and I won't have anything left for gas.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
23 Jun 09
I'd be leaning towards going, but I think it would be OK not to go. If you can't afford it and your sister wouldn't be terribly hurt (or you aren't close), you're right it 's not like High School graduation or her wedding or something.
• United States
23 Jun 09
I don't think she'll be hurt. She hasn't even mentioned it to me. My mother keeps saying my sister would like it if I go, but my mother will be there and some of my sister's previous teachers that she's still close to. I don't think I have to go, and I don't see a reason for it. My mother has an appointment immediatly afterwards, so I'd just be there for the quick little ceremony, and that's it... seems sort of pointless to go all the way down there for that.
1 person likes this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
23 Jun 09
Adults can understand these sorts of situations better than kids can. Try to remember how you would have felt at her age. Then make your choice. If you just can't, you can't. But don't underestimate the impact you can have on her young life either.
• United States
23 Jun 09
I don't think it's as important to her as it is to my mother. My sister isn't even certain she wants to go, but my mother is turning this whole thing into a huge deal. I don't know, I still have to think about it all.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
23 Jun 09
Kat - it is not a big deal to me but I am coming from a system where you only graduated from College. I cna understand the graduating from High School but middle sachool? Out here it has got stupid ridiculous whereby children graduate from basic school. Basic schools are the government schools that take children from 3 to 6 years old before they begin Primary School. These little kids get all dressed up at great expense to their parents and it all costs so much money. I don't agree with it at all as then photos or videos are taken. To me it is a rip off. Tell her that you will be sure to attend her High School Graduation and get a good sleep in.
• United States
23 Jun 09
They do the same thing here, make a huge deal out of each and every graduation. I don't mind going when it's my own children, it's sort of bitter sweet in a way, and I enjoy the celebration they put on. But my own children's schools are just 5 minutes away, I usually run into plenty of people to socialize with, I know everyone, and it's my own child and I'm proud of them. But we're talking a half an hour drive that I might not have the gas for, a city of strangers that I've never met, because it's inner city they're all a different sort of people that scare me a bit, and this is my sister who I'm not extremely close to. It's a big deal to her, but I just don't know if I can do it.
@jedopi (401)
• Canada
24 Jun 09
My son is graduating from middle school (Grade 8) and we went to the graduation ceremony last night. We went for his two older sisters as well, and in three years we will go for our other son as well. Middle school is just as important as high school if you are the student. Do you remember how grown up and proud you must have felt when you graduated. I know my kids feel proud of themselves. It is a very big deal to them. It is something that they have accomplished and we feel that we should show how proud we are of them. My son got his diploma, a medal for being an honour roll student and also an award for best mark in Science. We were extremely proud of him and felt the need to be there to support him. When our daughters graduated middle school they also were honour students and won awards for History and English. I really think that you should show your love and support for your sister by going to the ceremony. You can sleep in anytime, but this only happens once in her lifetime. Think how happy she will be knowing that her big sister made the sacrifice to be there for her.
• United States
24 Jun 09
If it is important to your sister...I would go. Is there a way you can drive down there with someone else to save on gas? Wanting to sleep in isnt a very good excuse to miss something like that. It would only cost 5 or 10$ in gas to go down..is there something you could skip during the week...like fast food one day or something else and use that money towards gas so you can be there for it?
@bsantora (18)
• United States
24 Jun 09
Were it High School, I would definitely say that you needed to go. Given your circumstances, I would just skip it were it me and give her a card and maybe a special gift. Good luck!
@desuzh (1)
• China
24 Jun 09
you can go or not go don't be afraid and after that don't mind it too much and we want to hear ur action:)
• Indonesia
24 Jun 09
Don't think that your sister's graduation is a little thing, then, you for get it. Her happiness is priceless, and, this event will not happen again! Remember her struggle, perhaps, her effort is also because she wants to make you happy.