circles

  Tonight I am going to my granddaughters high school graduation ceremony. It will be held in the football stadium. Well, that's different and a sign of the times. The importance lies not in where the ceremony takes place but in the accomplishment. It's a life lesson in that not everything goes the way we think it might or the way we dreamed it would. She doesn't appear to be disappointed at all about that. The walk across the stage I mean. I expect they will have some sort of stage or platform for them to do that. Each graduate was given four tickets and it is my understanding those seats will be in pods. Perhaps years from now when the pictures are being looked at the question will be asked, why was the seating like that? Or, perhaps that will be the normal thing in the future, seating in isolated pods for events. The new normal? Whatever the case I would never have imagined such. 

  I can't help but remember when the wife and I walked Morgan to pre-school. Her Mom and Dad naturally were there for her first day, but we walked her almost every day after that. Doesn't seem that long ago either. We were there for her first ride on the school bus, off to elementary, then middle school. And yes we went over and saw her get on the bus for high school on her first day. All the plays, the Grandparents days, the class parties and such, lots of memories. And tonight we will just watch as she walks across the field, or the stage, to receive that diploma so justly earned. If I had my way I'd walk with her! Yes, it would embarrass her, it would be the talk of the town, but she would be amused, might take thirty or forty years, but eventually she would be amused by that. I'm certain every parent and grandparent there feels the same way. 

  With that walk, that certificate in hand, she will begin to walk us. Yes, that's the way life progresses. It's been two years since her brother graduated. Now a college man he checks in on his grandparents, making sure the old people are alright, asking if we need anything. Morgan will begin that soon as well. Life events will transform her, just like her brother, into all knowing young adults. That's how it works. It is something we parents and grandparents work toward, guiding them along the way. We teach them to be independent, but feel sorrow when they gain independence. It's hard to let go! There are more lessons to be learned, we know that, but they don't. And that is the rub. Really it isn't that much different than when we had to turn and walk away that first day of pre-school. We could see the fear and the anxiety in their eyes. Still, we had to reassure them, it will be fun, it will be alright, and we will be back in a short time! Now, they are saying that to me. A circle complete? Well, there are circles within the circle and that is what they have yet to learn, but they will. 

  It all changes tonight. The ceremony is symbolic. With that diploma in hand she can now choose her next path. She has enrolled in Salisbury University and picked a course of study. The thing is, she gets to choose, that's the change. No more is school a mandatory thing. At least not in a legal sense it isn't. She can choose, and there is little anyone can do about that. A measure of freedom. But with that freedom comes responsibility. Morgan is aware of all that, she has been prepared. I have no doubts that she will succeed at whatever she chooses to do. And I am equally certain that she will choose wisely. Can't ask for much more than that.