It is the wind beneath my wings. Glorious, momentous, heartfelt. Yes, one of my grands is graduating in a month. It can be sad leaving the daily interaction with school friends, but oh so glorious at the same time. This is one of those joys of life that only happen one time… for this child I mean… and me, too. My heart sings the song of how lucky I am to have kids with kids who are as great and grand and accomplished. It is pure delight.
"Mr. President, on behalf of the faculty of Letters and Science, I hereby declare that these candidates have met all the requirements for the degree of ... and request that such degree be conferred upon them."
In the United States, besides "commencement," the term "graduation" is also used in schools below university level such as the high school, middle school and even kindergarten and preschool ceremonies. I recall when one of my grands graduated from kindergarten. That was fun.
I didn't know it, but I guess it's logical that today it is common for graduates not to receive their actual diploma at the ceremony but instead a certificate indicating that they participated in the ceremony or a portfolio to hold the diploma in.
At the college level, this allows students who need an additional quarter or semester to satisfy their academic requirements to nevertheless participate in the official ceremony with their fellow students before receiving their degree.
It will be a tremendous day, because graduation really means moving on the next step on the ladder of life. What will happen next? How will this grand of mine progress? What choices will he make? It is all a wonder and mystery and yet pleasing.
For this particular grand whose name is Kory, there is much hope and promise. This young person is a gift. A tribute. Bliss for me and for our family.
Let the drum roll begin…
Celebrate the count down, blog. Keep thinking that it's not goodbye. It's a time to fly.
