THat is so sweet of you @emjecee your beloved father will be very happy and I know he is very proud of you now that you are graduating. He might not be able to witness it alive, but he will be with you as you walk on the aisle claiming your victory.

I actually used to draw too but mine were animes and like you i also stopped because i became so busy. I hope that someday I will be able to get back to drawing again like you :)