Congratulations Class of 2014...

“Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!” – Dr. Seuss, Oh The Places You’ll Go!

 

Another round of graduations has come and gone; another group of hopeful young people has been launched into the world to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance.” The Class of 2014 now faces the future and whatever comes next…Scary stuff, heady, wonderful, exciting, yet very scary stuff…

 

This year we received six graduation announcements – two were big and thick and fancy with lots of nice photos of the graduate doing things the graduate loves to do – very impressive; one was the traditional format from the high school with a lovely senior photo of the grad enclosed – her hair is a bit tussled and she looks mischievous. My nephew, Riley, announced his graduation from college via Facebook. My friend, Rosie, sent those who have supported her musically gifted son over the years a hand-painted card she did, of him playing the violin.

 

My favorite was the humble invitation I got from a young friend. She’s from a large family and they work hard to be sure their ends meet. On the day before her graduation, she proudly gave me a hand-lettered invitation that proclaimed “Graduation Time!” in dark red magic marker. Inside she’d written the details - Who, What, When, Where. One of her senior portrait photos was included. The graduate looks lovely and hopeful, full of enthusiasm and ambition. Even paying for that senior portrait was probably a stretch for her family, so being included on her small list of people to make an invitation for was a real honor.

 

As I wrote my best wishes in those graduation cards and signed those congratulatory checks, I thought about all the hopes and worries, tears and dreams, energy and love we pour into our graduates. And, when they finally achieve that milestone, whatever our means, we salute them with our best. Some get big parties and lots of presents and much celebration; others get a meal or a cake with their name and some balloons drawn on it; for some, sensing their loved ones' pride is all that’s in store, yet it’s enough because they can feel it, almost palpable, along the football stadium sidelines.  

 

The size of the graduation celebration does not indicate the size of a young person’s dreams or ability to achieve them.

 

My high school graduates are in their 30’s now and while their speeches and marches across the stage happened a long time ago, I remember like it was yesterday. They’re successful and happy, content in the lives they’ve made for themselves. I’m thankful for that and remain ever proud…Yet there was something so poignant and fresh, so energetic and excited about their faces on graduation day - a unique promise, special to its time.  

 

Last Friday night I was in the yard when I heard the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” float over the breeze. We don’t live that close to the high school, so it was faint and faraway, yet the somber nasal whine of the saxophones was clearly audible at times. In between the phrases of the music, cheers went up, over and over again…

 

I could almost see it all in the peach-colored evening light – the balloons, the banners, the proud friends and families - all of those happy faces, caps and gowns, reflected in the dark glasses of those standing by. 

    

A little later, phrases from the speeches caught the air, punctuated with laughter and applause, following by the reading of the names – the measured, cadenced reading of the names. Every name, no matter how simple or ornate, sounds important when pronounced slowly and clearly over a loud speaker that way…   

Then came the cheering indicating that the deed was done and the throwing of caps had begun, followed by all of those tears and hugs and happy photos on cameras and cell phones alike. By the time I went in, my heart was full and my eyes were teary…Godspeed, Class of 2014, Godspeed. 
I often turn to Dr. Seuss when I’m wondering how to contemplate something or what to say in his light-hearted, yet wise way…From him, I glean these bits of advice for the Class of 2014, and those that came before, and those that will come after: Remember the value of each day, embrace optimism and look forward to what lies ahead, as in, ““Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.”  

 

Never stop learning and growing, whatever shape that takes, as you wander or stride down the path of life: “Think and wonder, wonder and think.” 
Graduation is both an end and a starting point, so, “Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!”

 

And, lastly, none of us know what the future will bring. We do know that these and all other graduates deserve our help, love and support in the future as much as they did in the past.

 

So, congratulations Class of 2014: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”  Believe that and you have nothing to lose.