Graduation

Bring on the Pomp and Circumstance

May 7, 2019 by Nancy 18 Comments

Liam's Class in 2014 — Liam’s Class in 2014

A quick tally reveals that since my husband and I have been together we will have attended 22 graduations for our kids and grandkids by the end of this month. And that doesn’t include the sweet kindergarten graduations with cherubic faces grinning under precariously perched construction-paper mortar boards–or all the “moving up” ceremonies to middle school and high school.

Sitting through the list of names from Aker to Zimmerman, and listening to all the speeches about learning from the past and reaching for the stars in the future, were all worth it, however. Even if the auditorium was stifling hot and we were seated behind a large post. Why? Because of the graduates we loved and wanted to celebrate fully!

And yes, we’ll have more pomp in our family this graduation season—under different circumstances! I know it’s true because two graduation invitations are on our refrigerator. Granddaughter Sophia will graduate from Del Norte High School and granddaughter Morgan will graduate from the University of Arizona–a year early! Both girls will be adding all their hopes and dreams to that cumulative pile formed by 2019 graduates everywhere.

I haven’t been asked to give a graduation address since I was in high school, and frankly I hope I never am. I’d have a hard time sticking to the expected “worldly advice” and “it’s all up to you” script. I wouldn’t be able to keep myself from offering Biblical advice that matters—something with substance like: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Sadly then, in many schools today, the “politically correct police” would drag me from the podium and out the back door of the auditorium. But I might have time to toss over my shoulder a few more words of practical advice I’ve heard or learned—my honorary academic gown flapping with every step, and my honorary mortar board tassel bouncing up and down:

“Don’t worry about what other people think of you, because they don’t think of you that often!”

“Start your day by making your bed and no matter what you’ve accomplished something!”

“Wear sunscreen! Skin cancer happens.”

“Stay in touch with your parents! They’ll always love you.”

“Show up where you’re supposed to be and when you’re supposed to be there!”

“Look for opportunities to help or encourage someone else! Be kind and humble.”

No, I won’t be giving any speeches. But I will be sitting proudly next to my husband taking in all aspects of the celebrations: Graduates hugging one another and high-fiving, cell phones flashing, parents and grandparents beaming in that foolish way we do so well. And why shouldn’t we? Graduations are great milestones worth celebrating on this journey we call life.

Graduations and Weddings, Oh My!

May 10, 2016 by Nancy 18 Comments

May and June are traditionally the months when families gather for graduations and weddings, and never has this been truer for our family than this year! We have four graduations and a wedding within just a few weeks. As the plans begin to come together I’m reminded once again of the similarities between these two celebrations.

When a large family is involved, both graduations and weddings can be a logistical challenge. Who can come and who can’t? Where will everyone stay? What transportation is needed and who can provide it? And then the always unanswerable, but ever-present question: will the weather cooperate? What’s the backup plan for outdoor ceremonies or celebrations?

There are 21 people in our immediate blended family. Three granddaughters are graduating from high school this year—and one granddaughter is graduating from college and getting married! As all the flight and hotel reservations are being made, the gifts selected, and the parties planned, I keep seeing the faces of these four dear honorees—not as they are now, as proud graduate or beaming bride—but as they were as toddlers and little girls.

I was privileged to go with my granddaughter Amanda to try on her wedding dress for the first time. Seated in the “salon” area of the bridal shop while the assistant helped her into her dress in the fitting room, I wondered if I would cry when I first saw her. I knew I was supposed to cry. I’d seen that in the movies and commercials again and again. But what if I didn’t? She’d be disappointed, wouldn’t she?

Then she stepped into the room looking absolutely radiant–with the same excited smile on her face that I remembered from when she was four and twirling around in her latest “play dress up” outfit in our living room. The tears naturally flowed.

So what do all these honorees have in common? A sense of accomplishment. A bit of apprehension as they move into an unknown future. And hopefully parents and grandparents searching for a tissue during “Pomp & Circumstance” or “Here Comes the Bride”–and trying to remember how to switch their smart phones from still photos to video.

If we can give our graduates, brides, and grooms anything this season, may it be the reassurance that plans may change, dreams may take a different shape, blessings may come in disguise, but love is forever. The love of parents, grandparents, siblings and starry-eyed new spouses. It’s the love that makes the celebrations worth having. It’s the love that makes the memories.

Graduations Galore

June 2, 2012 by Nancy 2 Comments

We’ve had a lot of pomp in our family this graduation season—under all kinds of circumstances! Five of our twelve grandchildren celebrated graduation milestones recently, adding all their hopes and dreams to that cumulative pile formed by 2012 graduates everywhere.

Our granddaughter Amanda had the most significant graduation—she graduated from high school. It was wonderful to hear her give the invocation at her graduation ceremony, and so reassuring to know that in certain small towns in America it’s still acceptable to thank God and give Him the glory! She and I will celebrate by going to New York together, and I’m as excited as she is.

On the opposite end of the educational spectrum, our grandson Will graduated from kindergarten. Imagine, if you can, about 75 little five-and six-year olds proceeding into an auditorium with their faces framed by giant paper flowers! According to Will’s dad he wasn’t too keen on dressing up as a flower, but the effect on stage as they sang some precious songs like “Everything Grows” and “Each of Us is a Flower” was just darn cute.

Our other three graduates celebrated leaving eighth grade and moving on to high school, and that caught us more by surprise than the others. In 1998 I wrote a column titled “Baby, Baby, Baby” in which I mused about the excitement and preparation around welcoming three baby girls into our family within four months. That those three baby girls, Ellie, Riley and Morgan, are now young ladies who dressed up and did their hair for eighth-grade graduation dances and ceremonies absolutely blows our minds! Echoing the sentiment of every parent and grandparent of every graduate of the season, where did the time go?

We only got to attend two of these ceremonies, but we loved every minute. Even if you weren’t there, you’ve been there. Graduates grinning from ear to ear, cameras flashing, parents and grandparents beaming in that foolish way we do so well. And why shouldn’t we? Graduations are great milestones on this journey of life we celebrate.