The day a beloved child graduates - this is when you really start to sound like your parents, saying things your younger self knew were ridiculous and would never would leap over your teeth like a panicked sheep leaping the fence. (You fill in the blanks.)
And so the legacy continues - another generation rolls their eyes at the embarrassing sentimental pap that passes as appropriate graduation day conversation amongst the elders. (But, being the subject of this reminiscence, they secretly revel in the attention.) And sufficiently down the road, they understand their parents as the timeworn forsworn phrases fly from their own mouths.
The sun and sky conspired to present this bucolic Bitterroot Valley view as a perfect addition to graduation day celebrations.
Aaaah, graduation day - a day on which we enter the gymnasium full of hope and optimism, sincerely believing - that we will pick out our friends and family amidst the sea of thousands of faces. We quickly gave up to instead embrace realism and enjoy the event for what it really is: a prime venue for people watching.
Spiffed up young men, still noisy boys despite the shined shoes and ties. Burly dads carrying florist bouquets and wiping their eyes, unashamed. Young ladies sporting dress-up fashions that would have been right at home at my ‘80s-era graduation ceremony. Casually clad young parents with adorable toddlers in tow - little girls in Sunday-best dresses and bows, or young boys in miniature ties and vests.
I got to thinking that each person has a different back-story of why this event is important enough for them to dress up and make the time to attend. For many, like our family this year, it’s as simple as love and support for dear ones celebrating a milestone. But, given the national high school drop-out statistics, some might be celebrating a first graduate in their family. All in all, it was interesting to be surrounded by the best kind of proud, loving people, air horns and lengthy slide shows notwithstanding.
