Moving on
Up!
Graduate: To
confer a degree upon. From the medieval Latin graduatus.
It doesn’t
matter that my own children have long since graduated; this time of year always
gets to me. While I sit watching the current group of graduates walk proudly across
the stage, I can’t help but picture my own sons’ graduations. Of course I am
proud; they both have advanced degrees, wonderful families of their own, and
good jobs. But wasn’t it just yesterday that I saw them throw their hats in the
air after high school and flash the “Hook ‘em Horns “ sign as the UT tower
glowed orange? Sigh….I guess not. There are definitely more wrinkles on my face
now than there were in those graduation pictures.
Commencement:
Beginning. From the French comencier.
Current meaning: School graduation ceremony.
I love that
the word commencement is used as one completes something. It seems a bit of a
paradox, but it reminds us that the end of one thing is usually the beginning
of something else. Think about it; the world is round, and the place that may
seem like the end, may really be the beginning. Or we may just be walking in
circles. Who knows? It’s as exciting as it is scary. And that’s just for the
parents!
As parents
we have been told that the two most important things to give our children are
roots and wings. Most parents I know do the roots thing really well. In fact,
some of us dig a hole, put those roots in and stomp on them until they couldn’t
possibly budge even in an earthquake. And frankly, although we laugh about it,
most of us have given our children a good strong set of wings too.
As this new crop of graduates leave the nest,
I congratulate not just the kids, but the parents. Those little wings that
began to sprout so many years ago are now study, durable, and ready to take
your kids to new places. You’ve done your job, so you can relax.
Oh wait….don’t
forget to put that homing device in. I’ve been told it really works.
Congratulations
graduates and parents!
No comments:
Post a Comment