Unexpected Reaction......

Saturday night at home....same as every Saturday night for about two months. Yawn. We finished dinner and looked at the TV listings for the evening. Was there anything on that seemed interesting or should we watch a movie or another episode of "The Crown"? Our three major networks were advertising an hour long show called "Graduate Together: America Honors the Class of 2020". We didn't think that seemed intriguing but as we started to look for options the show began....and we were hooked.

The beginning showcased a virtual student choir and the effect was mesmerizing. The show featured speakers, well known artists and students speaking or performing from all over America. Short interviews with parents, comments about what graduates were missing as the 2020 school year's second semester in every state was not what anyone expected it to be. Traditions students had been looking forward to for perhaps years were simply not going to take place.

I will have to admit, that in the weeks since schools shut down and we all had to make complete changes in our everyday lives I thought to myself that yes, while missing prom, fun senior traditions and graduation ceremonies would be disappointing there were much bigger things to be addressed. The "kids" would deal with it and "get over it".

Watching the special made me re-think all of this and brought memories flooding back. Suddenly I could see us sitting in the bleachers at the football field at Shawnee High School in Medford, NJ watching as Todd received his diploma. His parents, sister and grandparents all applauding!

   

Four years later we caught a glimpse of him as he approached the graduation gathering at Rutgers University. His huge smile beamed at us through the crowd of happy students. Again parents, sister and grandparents were there to share his achievement.

And we got to gather again to watch his sister, Megan, graduate from the same high school knowing she would be heading off to Shepherd College in the fall.

Then the last ceremony for our youngest as she graduated from college knowing she'd be starting a job in Milwaukee soon after.

As Dave and I watched this less-than-expected-but-specially-designed 2020 TV graduation ceremony I will admit that there were a few damp eyes on both side of the couch. Remembering our kids and wondering about these kids. What a huge bump in the road for all of them. How many would actually start college in the fall and if they did go off to campus what kinds of new procedures would be in place?

It doesn't matter if you don't have any students in your family who are celebrating this high school graduation milestone, I highly recommend you go on line and watch the show. It was hopeful, meaningful....it was a celebration. Here's to hoping that there will never be another entire country-wide high school senior class that ever has to celebrate this way ever again. Here's to knowing that these graduates will go on to help our world find new ways to develop, grow, balance and provide equal opportunities for more individuals to reach toward a bright and promising future.

An unexpected reaction from two boomers who don't have a high school graduate on pause this year....tears.