My mother's mother will graduate tomorrow at the age of 76. Way to go, Grandma! The graduation invitation reads "After 9 years and a million cups of coffee, Leona Clift will receive a bachelor's degree in religious studies."

I am incredibly proud of both my grandmother and my mother for going back to college. For a graduation gift, we have sent her an angel and a cross made out of rusted tin, and the following letter will explain the gift.

Dear Leona,

As the postcard says, the church at Chimayo is a very sacred place. Every year thousands of people will make a pilgrimage to this church between Palm Sunday and Good Friday. Many will walk on foot to the church, some as far as a hundred miles or more. These devoted believe that the earth around the church's building has a mystical healing power and they will take a tiny bit away with them in a small vial, etc.

Just recently Chimayo replaced the roof of the church, and rather than throwing away the old tin roof, they decided to make crosses and angels to sell to raise the funds for the new roof. This is where your angel and cross come from.

We are so happy and proud that you have reached this extraordinary goal of graduating from college! We're sorry we couldn't be there for your big day, but all our thoughts are with you.

Love, Chad, Amy, Ryan, and Owen